Abstract:
Over the past few years, there has been increasing attention in New Zealand drawn to the
pollution of water bodies from dairy farm effluent, and ways to mitigate this. The aim of this
research is to identify the key elements involved in engaging farmers in community based action
to mitigate agricultural water pollution. The study examines a Landcare project that has shown
signs of apparent success, entitled the Aorere Catchment Project (ACP), in Golden Bay, New
Zealand. The ACP was initiated after the Aorere River was found to have high pathogen levels,
likely resulting from dairy farm runoff. This research evaluates the projects apparent success,
and follows the evolution of the project to gain an understanding of the key success factors in
engaging farmers. Surveys of dairy farmers in the Aorere valley were undertaken in 2007 and
again in 2010 to identify management practices and identify changes in issues and farmer
attitudes over this period. This study found that the ACP has had extensive success, both in
resolving waterway issues and engaging farmers in action for healthy waterways. The underlying
community led philosophy of the project has been vital in the success of this project. The key
project principles, ‘farmers as leaders’, and ‘experts on tap not on top’ have contributed greatly
to the projects uptake. There are however some catchment specific elements that have aided the
apparent success of this initiative. The Aorere catchment project model unchanged would not be
suitable for every catchment in New Zealand, as not all the elements of success were under the
projects control. The model does however serve as a good example for similar projects in other
New Zealand catchments, and also the importance of a suitable indicator of success.
