The upper Rakitata | Rangitata River catchment is an ecologically significant area, with extensive landscape and indigenous biodiversity values. The braided river system is important for providing critical habitat for native species including several threatened species of braided river birds. Currently, the upper Rakitata is comparatively pristine, with relatively low weed abundance. However, weed species are incredibly good dispersers and without effective management will take over this environment, outcompeting native seedlings, providing habitat for predators, removing nesting sites for birds, and changing the river morphology.

Boffa Miskell carried out field surveys to establish and map the extent of current weed infestations to inform stakeholders and provide a baseline for comparisons to monitor progress. Building on existing operations and information from the field surveys, Boffa Miskell provided recommendations for future weed management. The plan included details of priority species, areas, actions for the short-term, and long-term management approaches.

The goal of protecting braided river biodiversity guided the development of this plan, with weed control identified as a priority action for conserving and improving the ecosystem. Boffa Miskell also advocated for a funding increase to enact the most effective control of weeds before they set seed and allow for more surveillance. Forward planning is key to enabling efficiencies and maximising the funding available. This strategy was influential in the allocation of additional funding to this catchment in subsequent years.

The preparation of this plan included consulting with key agencies and landholders. Boffa Miskell continues to work in collaboration with these groups to ensure coordinated management across the catchment.

Our role included project management, operational and strategic planning, contractor management, pest control, stakeholder and community engagement, GIS and spatial analysis.