Effective catchment management is about creating and implementing a clear, whole-of-catchment ki uta ki tai plan to care for water and land sustainably. The recipe to any good plan is always made up of a series of key steps, as our tried and tested multi-step plan can demonstrate. We begin by helping you define a clear vision for your catchment, working together to set goals for the future. Our team of scientists and GIS experts then gather and analyse data to understand the area’s past and present state. Through hands-on fieldwork and community workshops, we identify key challenges and potential issues. With this information, we develop tailored solutions that address both catchment-wide and site-specific needs. Our science interpreters and graphic designers package this all into a user-friendly catchment management plan that’s designed to be both informative and engaging. Throughout the process, we collaborate closely with stakeholders to ensure a seamless and inclusive approach.
If developing Catchment Management Plans and Implementation Guides are part of your key deliverables, our integrated development process and experience working within collaborative project teams will help you to realise your catchment vision. Add to that our experience and track record in developing catchment management plans of all shapes and sizes, alongside our collaborative and solutions-based work ethic and ability to create outputs that are useable across the end-user spectrum; and you have a recipe for achieving the best outcomes for your catchment and its future.
Transforming Waterway Management: The Ararira Catchment Management PlanLiving Water (Fonterra & Department of Conservation) & Aqualinc
We played a lead role in developing the Ararira Catchment Management Plan (CMP), working with Aqualinc and in partnership with the Selwyn District Council, Te Taumutu Rūnanga, the DOC-Fonterra Living Water Partnership, and Environment Canterbury. Our team led the CMP development, working alongside Aqualinc to collate and analyse ecological and water quality data, and closely collaborating with the Project Team and other stakeholders to identify key issues and challenges for the catchment. This collaborative approach allowed us to identify a series of catchment-scale and site specific tools and solutions targeted to different waterway types within the catchment. The final CMP output balanced essential drainage with supporting and celebrating healthy ecosystems, enabling a sustainable vision for the Ararira catchment and rural communities.
Designed for implementation across public and private lands, the CMP includes tools for addressing sediment and macrophyte issues, and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Our GIS expertise and accessible document design further ensured that the CMP serves as a model for sustainable management across the Te Waihora catchment, positioning the Selwyn District Council to make informed, strategic decisions. Following this project’s success, EOS Ecology in partnership with Aqualinc, continue to expand these solutions to other catchments, helping other communities to support resilient waterways.
Supporting Science-Led Catchment Management: The Focus Catchment Map SeriesMinistry for the Environment & Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust
As the National Technical Support Team for the ‘Wai Connection – Tatai Ki Te Wai’ project, EOS Ecology delivers vital science, GIS, science interpretation and design expertise to enhance catchment management across New Zealand. A core component of this role is developing the Focus Catchment Map Series (FCMS), a detailed map-based resource that synthesizes data from a multitude of national and regional sources. Now deployed across eight regions, the FCMS empowers community groups by providing a clearer picture of catchment health, addressing knowledge gaps, and fostering informed, science-driven decisions for sustainable catchment practices.
Our team structured the FCMS to present accessible science content across six critical areas, from land management to ecological data and coastal connections. Through over 90 pages of mapped data and insights, the FCMS supports communities in understanding and managing local environmental challenges. Developed in consultation with Environment Canterbury and piloted with the Hakataramea Sustainability Collective, this adaptable and user-friendly tool enhances collaboration among councils, iwi, and community groups, strengthening connections and fostering a unified approach to environmental management nationwide. Our efforts in crafting this trusted resource are helping to drive lasting, positive impacts in Aotearoa’s catchments.
Protecting Wellington's Waterways: Integrated Catchment ManagementWellington Water Limited
A key stage of Wellington Water Limited’s Integrated Catchment Management Plan (ICMP) process required detailed plans to be developed for five urban catchments across Wellington to address stormwater challenges and protect the local environment. The objective was to meet required service levels for the catchment’s stormwater system, identify solutions to minimise catchment issues, and establish preferred methods for sustainable management.
A core component of this stage involved assessing the potential impacts of stormwater on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. EOS Ecology provided essential expertise to answering this by conducting a high-level ecological assessment of these five urban catchments. Collaborating with local experts, utilising existing information, and conducting on-site evaluations, our scientists identified the conditions of streams, wetlands, and critical terrestrial features within the catchments, which established an ecological baseline for future assessments.
Our work highlighted both the existing natural and modified ecological values, giving insight into how land development and stormwater management have influenced these areas. EOS Ecology’s recommendations included protecting specific natural features for their ecosystem values, enhancing ecological corridors to improve resilience against stormwater impacts, and targeting critical data gaps to support decision-making. By building a foundation for informed, sustainable management, this phase also established a plan for ongoing monitoring to address any remaining knowledge gaps and ensure continued protection of ecological values. Through this comprehensive assessment, we have been able to offer invaluable recommendations to guide Wellington Water’s ongoing efforts to protect and enhance Wellington’s urban waterways, supporting healthier and more resilient ecosystems for the future.
