Acting General Manager Policy, Science and Strategy Andrew Newman said the meetings, in Arrowtown on Monday and Wanaka on Tuesday, were well-attended, positive and productive.

“Thanks to everyone who attended those meetings and made them a success. We really appreciated your time and we thank you for sharing your viewpoints.

“We were very pleased with the number of people who came along, and the way everyone contributed enthusiastically to group discussions about what they value in these waterways and how they want to see them managed in future.”

These discussions give a basis for ORC staff to write options for water management, including objectives, policies and limits. Consultation with the communities will continue throughout the process for developing new policy over the coming months as ORC develops Plan Changes as part of the Water Plan review process.

Mr Newman said it was a highlight of the meetings to see a lot of new faces.

“ORC have been having these kinds of discussions for a while, but one of our goals for these meetings was to broaden the scope and take input from as many diverse voices as possible within the community. It was great see new people taking the time to share their values for the Arrow and Cardrona rivers”

On top of the consultation meetings, members of these communities can share their values through free-post brochures mailed out by ORC, or online, on or before 7 June:

• Arrow River: https://yoursay.orc.govt.nz/arrow-river
• Cardrona River: https://yoursay.orc.govt.nz/cardrona-river

The next community ORC will be working with to set freshwater values will be the Manuherekia catchment. These meetings are planned for later in 2019, and ORC will be in contact with the Manuherekia community closer to the time.