Riverbed vegetation control programme 2026/2027

Riverbed vegetation control programme 2026/2027

Mataura, Ōreti, Aparima, Waiau, and Te Anau Basin Rivers

Adjacent property owners and other users of the river channels listed are advised that helicopter and ground-based spraying is to be carried out within the flood fairways of these rivers. This is to control vegetation that may affect the passage of flood water.

Plants targeted throughout the programme are gorse, broom and self-sown willow.

The aerialwork required on each channel should take three to five days to complete if the weather is suitable. The work may commence from late September onwards, depending on weather conditions, and should be finished by the end of March 2027.

The river channels involved are:

• Mataura River and tributaries from the Titiroa Confluence to Robert Creek.
• Ōreti River and tributaries from the Ferry Rd bridge to the confluence with the Windley River.
• Aparima River and tributaries from the Riverton Otautau Rd Bridge to the Dunrobin Station Rd Bridge.
• Waiau River and tributaries from the mouth to the Mararoa Weir.
• Mararoa River from the weir to the Kiwi Burn.
• Whitestone River from the Mararoa confluence to Bushy Point.
• Upukerora River from the lake confluence to the top end of Coal Pit Flat.
• Waihōpai, Otepuni & Kingswell Channels within Invercargill City boundaries.
• Makarewa River and tributaries from West Plains to the headwaters.

There will be a break in the programme over the Christmas period between 24 December 2026 and5 January 2027.

For further information regarding the programme, please get in touch with Environment Southland Team Leader River Operations Paul Pollard on 0800 76 88 45.