Regular Activity

Lakes and Waterways Action Group Trust (LWAG) is a community-based environmental group whose principle aim is to unite people behind the protection of Lake Taupō, related waterways and nearby catchments.

LWAG is a community forum which have hosted monthly meetings since the mid-1990’s.We believe that active community involvement provides a unique multi-sector perspective on environmental issues.

Through scheduling presentations by a variety of speakers and providing a venue for robust discussion community members with the greatest stake in protecting our local environment have the opportunity to learn about water quality and related concerns. LWAG’s active community involvement provides a unique multi-sector perspective on environmental issues.

LWAG has been actively engaged in the following projects, actions and policies:

• The 2020 Taupō-nui-a-Tia Action Plan a joint initiative between the Ngati Tuwharetoa Trust Board, Environment Waikato, Taupō District Council, and other stakeholders

• LWAG was instrumental in the establishment of the Lake Taupō Protection Project – a milestone of land and water management in New Zealand

• LWAG monitors wastewater discharge figures from the Taupō District Council’s nutrient discharge records in relation to regional provisions

• A key LWAG activity is submitting on resource applications and plans that affect water quality including; regional, district and long term plans as well as government legislation

• LWAG assist and support the development of low nitrogen land use products and opportunities such as eco tourism, sheep milk and honey production and the unique ‘Taupō Beef -Grown Right Here’ initiative gaining leverage from the Lake Taupō Protection Project

• LWAG support science monitoring and have worked with the University of Waikato in a comprehensive Lake Taupō BioFish monitoring project tracking long-term water quality trends

• LWAG promote and support local environmental groups including; Taupō for Tomorrow and the Tongariro National Trout Centre, Project Tongariro, blue duck/whio recovery plan, Greening Taupō, Greening Kids Taupō, Predator Free Taupō, and Advocates for the Tongariro River

• LWAG engage with iwi in the catchment through hosting regular updates from the TMTB and farming and forestry management groups

• LWAG take an active role in advocating for neighbouring catchments including the Upper Waikato above Mangakino, the Upper Ngaruroro, Clive and Mohaka Rivers in the Hawkes Bay, and the Rotorua Lakes. We also invite presentations on issues and statutory processes relating to these catchments.

• More recently LWAG are focusing on exploring and disseminating information on the synergies between low nitrogen land uses, regenerative farming, water quality improvement, greenhouse gas reduction and carbon capture. This is partly in response to opportunities arising from recent government policy towards a zero-carbon future, and NPS targets for water quality and renewable energy uptake.

• We also aim to increase participation in water quality processes through promotion of citizen science opportunities. An interface between the Lake Taupō Protection Project and the school curriculum has long been an LWAG vision that we aim to support going forward.

Projects

• Supporting the 2020 Taupō-nui-a-Tia Action Plan and the Lake Taupo Protection Project.

• Continue submitting on resource consent applications and plans that will affect water quality of the Lake Taupō catchment.

• Tabling the nutrient budgets of all land-use change in the district to monitor nutrient generation.

• Monitoring wastewater discharge figures from the Taupō District Council’s nutrient discharge records.

• Provide a venue for the community to learn about water quality issues and also to voice their concerns.

• Assisting development of low nitrogen land use products such as ‘Taupō Beef’ gaining leverage from the Lake Taupō Protection Project.

Achievements

• Increasing awareness of and participation in water quality and related environmental issues

• LWAG input adopted in the development of the Draft Lake Taupō Accord the community wanted to protect.

• One of the key stakeholders of the joint initiative developing the 2020 Taupō-nui-a-Tia Project. This project was a joint initiative between the Ngati Tuwharetoa Trust Board, Environment Waikato, Taupo District Council and other stakeholders. The outcome of this project was the publication of a 2020 Taupō-nui-a-Tia Action Plan - an integrated sustainable development strategy for Lake Taupo and the catchment.

• Regular submitters to a number of resource consent applications, planning documents and long term regional growth strategies.

• Community representation on Lake Taupō Catchment Committee including contribution to Lake Taupō Zone Plan.

• A water quality monitoring programme; LWAG in conjunction with students from the University of Waikato under Professor David Hamilton are assessing lake water quality by measuring water temperature, dissolved oxygen and biological activity, (growth of algae). The data from this project can track long-term trends and be used towards the assessment of options aimed at the maintenance and protection of water quality in the Lake Taupō Catchment.

• Contributors to the Lake Taupō Protection Project and Environment Waikato Variation 5 (Now RP Chapter 3:10 Taupo Provisions).

• LWAG encourages and supports Taupō District Council’s actions in regards to Lake Taupō protection (ie significant improvements to wastewater treatment)..