Te Mania Catchment

Te Mania catchment is located 3 kilometres south of Katikati and is approximately 1,300 hectares in area.

Quite short and steep, the catchment is only roughly 2 km wide and 8 km long, and includes 28km of streams and 1.7km of harbour margin. The primary stream in the catchment is Te Mania at 8km in length, with 11 other tributaries making up the remaining 20km of stream in the catchment. Te Mania stream and its tributaries are classified as aquatic ecosystem streams and are recognised as migratory pathways for indigenous fish species.

Data from 2012 indicated farming land use in the catchment is predominantly dry stock with approximately 10% horticulture. Catchment soils are derived from air-fall ash with poor cohesive properties making them vulnerable to erosion.

Te Mania catchment was chosen as the pilot catchment for Project Parore, a comprehensive and integrated community-led approach to sustainable land use and environmental protection.

A community engagement meeting in Te Mania late 2018 attracted a diverse audience and a positive response. Capitalising on the early enthusiasm, the working group have contemplated the requirements to go beyond Te Mania catchment, and faster. Expansion over additional adjoining catchments sooner allows for more purposeful and coordinated landowner engagement, economies of scale and a bigger positive impact on the environmental bottom line. As Rick Burke of Pukekauri Farm is fond of saying “…it’s a marathon for sure, but you’ve got to sprint the first part”.