June 2026 - Newsletter
Tēnā koutou Catchment members,
Winter may be quieter in the paddocks, but it certainly hasn't been for us! Behind the scenes we've been supporting funding applications, planning new projects, working with our partners and preparing for an exciting few months ahead.
Whether you've attended an event recently or are looking to get involved for the first time, there's something happening for everyone. We'd love to see you involved.
In this edition
Community Advisory Group – 21 July
BioBlitz Event – registrations open
Great Waikato Critters Competition
Pest Control Funding Update
WWCC's Trapping Programme
Wet Land Opportunities
Scholarships & Comms Opportunities
What's Been Happening?
Critter Comp Sponsorship
WWCC sponsored the Most Possums category for this year's Great Waikato Critters Competition.
Every pest removed helps protect the native birds, fish, insects and their habitats that make our catchment such a special place. Thank you to everyone involved - you are making a real difference.
We can't wait to hear all the results!!
See more here: Great Waikato Critters Competition 2026
Pest Control Funding Workshops
Many of you who attended the WWCC pest control funding workshops (and some who didn’t) worked very hard on their pest control funding applications to the Waikato Regional Council. We've expecting funding decisions to be announced from this week.
We have everything crossed for all of you! Let us know how you got on.
Invoicing
Membership invoices went out early in June. Thank you to all of you who have sorted those so quickly. If you haven’t seen your invoice, please phone or send me a message so we can fix that for you. We know that we can only keep doing better with all of your support. Thank you for being a part of it.
Get Involved This Winter
WWCC Trapping Programme
Are you trapping feral cats?
WWCC is working with DoC and Massey University to support toxoplasmosis research to help protect the Maui Dolphin.
Interested in supporting this work?
There’s one month left to go and they are really excited to have our support.
New to trapping?
Bulk trap orders will be organised by WWCC. Please get in touch if you would like to hear more.
Already Trapping?
Help us measure the collective impact across the catchment by sharing your trapping data. By recording trapping results across the catchment we'll be able to demonstrate our progress and better target future pest control efforts.
Learn more about Trap.NZ at the CAG meeting on 21 July.
Just getting started with trapping?
This article has some golden tips… https://predatorfreenz.org/stories/farmers/golden-tips-for-predator-control-on-farms/
Could That Wet Corner Be a Wildlife Haven?
Got a soggy corner that's hard to farm?
It could become valuable wildlife habitat.
Auckland Waikato Fish & Game is keen to support landowners interested in creating ponds, wetlands, and riparian planting projects that benefit birds, biodiversity, and water quality.
Project planning and advice
Funding and consent guidance
Predator control planning
Annual native plant supplies for selected projects
If you've got an area that could become a wetland, pond, or habitat corridor, now is a great time to start thinking about a plan, while you’re managing around it this winter. Plant requests for next year's deliveries are typically considered before the end of the year, so don't leave it too late!
If you have large areas that have been put in the too hard basket, there are many partners we can work with to obtain support in seeing these projects through.
Think you have a suitable site? Get in touch for a chat.
Every change is another step towards healthier waterways and can create lasting habitat for generations to come.
The Next CAG
21 July - Te Akau
Who are the WWCC Community Advisory Group (CAG) meetings for? YOU!!
The more of you that come along, the better we can do to ensure our work is tailored to the needs of the wider community.
Whether you're already involved or just curious, this meeting is your opportunity to help shape where we focus our efforts next. We'll explore:
Building your sub-catchment teams - defining our sub-catchment boundaries and how we work together.
Freshwater farm plans - share info on the new freshwater farm plan regulations and gain farm planning insights from you.
Water monitoring - discussing the water quality library for using the WWCC handheld monitoring device.
Catchment planning - explaining how the Whole of Catchment Plan can support you and what will go into it.
Community trapping - breaking down the WWCC trapping programme, what’s involved and how you can be a part of it.
Register here: www.wwcc.co.nz/events#cagjuly
Registration is essential for catering purposes.
BioBlitz is Coming!
1 September - Waikaretu
Help us discover and record the incredible and unique native species living in our catchment at our native birds and trees BioBlitz community event.
Learn from experts
Discover rare native plants and birds
Compete for prizes
Represent your sub-catchment
Native bird & tree experts will help us identify and record the native species we are likely to find in our area.
Following the event, the fun continues with a two-week challenge to record native species across the catchment as an individual, family or sub-catchment team.
Members of Birds New Zealand may also be available to visit properties and assist participants with identifying species.
Register for event day here: www.wwcc.co.nz/events#bio
Want a head start? You can download and try these apps now!
Seek by iNaturalist – to identify trees - https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app
iNaturalist – to record trees - https://www.inaturalist.org/
Merlin Bird ID – to identify birds - https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
eBird – to record birds - https://ebird.org/about/ebird-mobile
Also coming soon
September - Matuku Muster & Bird of the Year
October - AGM 2026
Grow Your Skills – Expressions of Interest
Community Storyteller
Are you skilled or keen to hone your skills on communicating, interviewing and sharing stories about the amazing work going on across the catchment? We are looking for a student or intern inside the catchment area with entry level skills and some time on their hands to prepare a monthly community story. Interested? Get in touch!
WWCC Scholarships
Do you want to increase your ability to support your community? Build on your capability and leadership skills? Experience new learning challenges? WWCC is offering five scholarships to members of our community to upskill. Scholarships are available to the youth category of 18-30 and adult category of 30+. If this sounds like you, please email us about you and how this opportunity would benefit you and the community alike.
Healthy waterways & thriving biodiversity
starts with People Who Care
Whether you're planting a tree, checking a trap, restoring a wetland,
attending a workshop, or simply sharing your local knowledge, you're
helping build a healthier future for the West Waikato Coastal Catchment.
Thank you for being part of the journey.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events.
Hei konā mai, West Waikato Coastal Community Catchment Inc, Te Akau, Waikato, New Zealand