Media Release

RELEASE: Monday 18 July

Te Arai River of the month

Te Arai Te Uru awa (river) has been selected as the LAWA (Land, Air, Water Aotearoa) ‘River of the Month’ for July.

A three minute video clip was co-produced by Gisborne District Council for the LAWA website, highlighting the importance of the river to our region.

“Te Arai awa is one of our regions’ most ecologically significant waterbodies,” says Gisborne District Council shared services science manager Lois Easton.

“The clip aims to tell more people about improvement projects, the work the environmental monitoring team cover and the importance of the awa to Rongowhakaata iwi.”

Council staff working with fish expert Jamie Foxley, members from Rongowhakaata and landowners along the river have been working together on a range of restoration projects focussed on habitat enhancement for native fish.

Ms Easton explains how council hydrologists monitor and check the river's water quality and quantity, and survey aquatic life.

“Modifications have been completed to remove barriers and improve fish passage along the length of the river to help fish migration, aimed at encouraging growth in fish numbers.

Mussel ropes and baffles were installed on Pykes weir and structural improvements made to 14 fords.

Surveying of fish populations and species throughout the year will determine if the improvements have made a positive impact on fish numbers.

LAWA have been running the nationwide River of the Month series for the past year.

River quality and quantity data for the Te Arai and other rivers in the Gisborne district, along with coastal and air quality data, can be viewed on the LAWA website.

ENDS

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