OCC - Otago Catchment Community Inc

01/09/2026

💰🌱💧 Community Funding Sessions - Ranfurly: 16 September, Wanaka: 12 November...

🌿 We have a number of Community Funding Hui coming up around the region in 2026! Check out the link below for dates, times, and RSVP information. We look forward to seeing you all out and about 😎

https://www.oct.org.nz/resources/funding-clinics

01/09/2026

Congratulations Paul Southworth!

We have some exciting news to share! Paul Southworth won the Individual Category at the Keep Dunedin Beautiful Awards!

Through his vision and leadership, Paul established Aroha Kaikorai Valley to create a healthier, more sustainable future for the Kaikorai Catchment. His passion for the environment has inspired people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved, from local businesses and schools to backyard trappers, volunteers, and community clean-up crews.

Under Paul's guidance, AKV has helped restore native biodiversity through predator control, native planting, habitat restoration, and waterway protection. Thanks to these efforts, native birdlife is returning and the ecological health of the valley continues to improve.

More than anything, Paul has built a movement. He brings people together, motivates them to take action, and shows us that every contribution matters. His dedication, energy, and belief in the community are helping create a greener, healthier Kaikorai Valley for future generations.

👏 Thank you, Paul, and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

31/08/2026

https://mailchi.mp/cca/august-newsletter-26

27/08/2026

A great workshop at Millers Flat with Teviot Water Care Group on Tuesday talking about Mental Health. Thanks GoodYarn and Lindsay for giving us a better understanding of Mental Health and how we can support others.
If your Catchment Group/Community Group would like to host a GoodYarn Workshop, please get in touch with your OCC Coordinators, Nicole & Sam!
Lookout for some great resources coming up over the next week on our OCC Website & FB!
And you can check out the GoodYarn website for any upcoming workshops: www.goodyarn.org/goodyarn/programme/workshops/

26/08/2026

🌿 Rural Women New Zealand – Central Otago September Dinner Group Event 🌿

Whether you’re a Rural Women NZ member or simply a woman who is rural at heart, you’re warmly invited to join us for a special evening of good food, great conversation and genuine connection. 💚

We know this is a busy time of year for farmers, horticulturalists and rural communities, so take a night out for yourself. Come along, catch up with familiar faces, make some new connections and enjoy a delicious meal around the table.

✨ Guest Speaker – Jocelyn (Joc) Kinney from the Otago Rural Support Trust - Joc brings a strong personal understanding of rural life to her role as Otago Regional Coordinator for the Rural Support Trust. Having grown up farming in South Otago and the Ida Valley, and now farming sheep and beef with her husband David at Hyde, Joc knows firsthand the highs, lows and challenges that come with rural life.

Joc will share more about the vital work of Rural Support Trust and how they support farmers, growers and rural communities through challenging times.

📆Wednesday 9 September
⌚️6.00pm - 9.00pm
📍 Alexandra District Club
📅 Registrations close at 12 noon on Friday 4 September for catering purposes.
📲Register now by going to https://bit.ly/4go68y8

🌱 Real people. Delicious kai. Great conversation. And a brilliant guest speaker.

🍽️ Dinner options available - dietary requirements can be included when registering.

💵 Cost
RWNZ Members – $45 - Includes a drink on arrival (b**r, house w**e or non-alcoholic) + booking fee.

Non-members – $50 - Includes a drink on arrival (b**r, house w**e or non-alcoholic) + booking fee.

⚠️ Unfortunately, late registrations cannot be accepted.

🤔 For any questions, please contact Lower South Island Rural Women NZ, rather than the venue.

Come along, bring a friend and enjoy an evening celebrating the women who make our rural communities so special.

We’d love to see you there!

24/08/2026

Young farmers are the heart of the future of New Zealand agriculture; we want to make sure these people are equipped with the tools they need to live their best lives.

Farmstrong, in collaboration with The Curiosity Company, is undertaking a nationwide research project with farmers and growers aged 18 to 35. This sets out to explore experiences, challenges and aspirations. We would like to see what younger farmers value most about working in the sector, and how they navigate the pressures and opportunities that come with life on farm. The findings will help ensure that Farmstrong's programmes, stories and resources are genuinely useful and relevant to the next generation of people working in agriculture and horticulture.

If you are 18-35, working full time in farming or growing and would like to be interviewed for the project please contact [email protected] for further information. We will recompense you handsomely for your time and there is a goodie bag too!

20/08/2026

Board Member Spotlight | Lloyd McCall, Deputy Chair

We’re proud to introduce Lloyd McCall, Catchment Communities Aotearoa’s Deputy Chair, representing the Otago region.

Lloyd’s catchment group journey began in 2014 when he helped establish the Pomahaka Water Care Group. Through a collaborative, farmer-led approach, the group improved water quality while inspiring catchment groups across Aotearoa.

He also led the development of the Otago South South River Care catchment group network and is a founding member of Otago Catchment Community.

With a background in farming, farm business management and local government, Lloyd brings valuable leadership and a strong commitment to supporting thriving catchment communities.

Please join us in congratulating Lloyd on his appointment as Deputy Chair of Catchment Communities Aotearoa.

20/08/2026

An opportunity to get amongst it

Are you passionate about freshwater, community-led action, and creating lasting environmental change?

WAI Wānaka is looking for an experienced Catchment Groups Lead to support and grow our network of rural catchment and urban action groups across the Upper Clutha. This role is all about bringing people together, building strong relationships, and helping communities turn local knowledge and shared aspirations into meaningful action for freshwater health and ecosystem wellbeing.

You'll join a passionate team dedicated to accelerating community action for freshwater while helping create healthy ecosystems and community wellbeing for future generations. We offer a supportive workplace, flexibility, and the opportunity to make a tangible difference where you live and work.

📍 Wānaka
⏰ Ideally full-time, with job-share opportunities considered
📅 Applications close Friday 4 September
👉 Learn more and apply: https://waiwanaka.nz/jobs/

If you care about connecting people, supporting thriving communities, and improving the health of our freshwater ecosystems, we'd love to hear from you. 💙💚

20/08/2026