Catchment Convos

Wet, boggy corners of the farm are often seen as a problem — but what if they could become one of your farm’s smartest investments? In this episode, we talk about why wetlands are becoming an important part of Southland’s farming future, from improving water quality to helping manage flood and drought risk. Sarah Thorne is joined by DairyNZ Environment Manager Justin Kitto to break down what wetla...

Struggling to balance animal welfare, soil health, and practical wintering on your farm? This episode breaks down what’s actually working on the ground—and how small changes can make a big difference. In this episode, I sit down with Southland farmers Simon Topham and Andrew Miller to talk through their wintering systems, the decisions behind them, and how they’re using data, planning, and experie...

Balancing farm, family, and community commitments can be challenging, especially when taking on leadership roles. This episode explores practical ways women can lead in rural Southland while staying grounded in their communities. In celebration of International Women’s Day, host Sarah Thorne talks with Clare Officer and Rachael Millar about what leadership really looks like in rural Southland — fr...

Animal pests can undo years of hard work if they’re not tackled properly — and once you think you’ve done enough, you’re probably only halfway there. In this episode, host Sarah Thorne kicks off the animal pest control conversation with Dipton sheep farmer Peter McDonald, who shares what it really took to protect 56 hectares of native bush on his Southland farm. From deer fencing and helicopter co...

When you hear people talk about Thriving Southland, do you ever wonder how it all actually works behind the scenes? In this episode, I’m breaking it down with Richard Kyte and Tessa Miller so you can understand the real engine room supporting Southland’s catchment groups. We’re talking about what Thriving Southland does, why our ground-up model works, and how everyday farmers and locals are creati...

Generational change doesn’t happen overnight — but in Waikawa, farmers and locals have been steadily putting in the hard yards for over a decade to restore their river and land. In this episode, Rachael sits down with Waikawa Catchment Group representatives Alison Thomas and Craig Short to hear how the group has grown from small beginnings in 2009 into a powerhouse of community-driven projects. Fr...

Small ideas can spark powerful change. What started as a simple “what if” conversation has turned into a community-led project that’s growing thousands of native plants and reshaping the Mid Oreti Catchment. In this episode, I sit down with Ainsley Adams and Rosie Hunter to talk about the Mid Oreti Mini Forest Movement, how it began, and the impact it’s having across schools, farms, and communitie...

Ever wondered how your farm could earn more while sharing the Southland story? This episode unpacks how agritourism is already transforming farms into thriving, experience-rich destinations—and why now’s the time to get involved. Rachael chats with Marijke Dunselman, founder of Agritourism New Zealand, about what agritourism really looks like on the ground, how Southland farmers are already making...

Is AI the future of farming — or just another tech fantasy? In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s actually possible with agri chatbots and how they could make your life easier on the land. I’m joined by Mahgol Yousefi, a PhD researcher and product designer working with AgResearch and the University of Canterbury. She’s exploring how AI-powered tools could help farmers make faster, smarter de...

Feral pests are eating more than just crops—they're eating away at the hard work, livelihoods, and native ecosystems across Southland. In this episode, we get real about the damage caused by exploding deer and pig populations, and how one catchment group is pushing back with facts, community buy-in, and action. I’m chatting with Mark Thomson and Alexis Wadworth from the Makarewa Headwaters cat...

Ever wondered how what happens on the land affects the ocean? The Aquavan is bringing that connection to life! In this episode, we chat with Dr. Sally Carson, director of the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre, and Sarah Thorne from Thriving Southland about this unique mobile marine science experience. The Aquavan travels through Southland, Otago, and Canterbury, giving students and communities han...

The Orauea River Catchment Group has been tackling a unique challenge—how their region’s natural mudstone landscape is impacting water quality. In this episode, I sit down with Jacqui Chamberlain, a local farmer, farm consultant, and leader of the group, to talk about their journey from identifying erosion risks to trialling solutions like poplar planting and sediment traps. Key takeaways: How hig...

New Zealand farmers are doing the hard yards—but how do we prove it to the world? Our global customers love our dairy and meat, but they want more than just great quality—they want proof of sustainability. In this episode, we sit down with Neal Wallace, senior reporter at Farmers Weekly, to unpack the key insights from his six-week overseas tour, where he met with major players like McDonald’s, Ne...

Discover how the Mid Oreti Catchment Group is transforming farm planning with cutting-edge mapping tools and practical resources. In this episode, host Rachael Halder is joined by Ainsley Adams, chair of the Mid Oreti Catchment Group, alongside Tom Nation and James Blyth from Collaborations, to unpack the game-changing “Marshalling the Best” project. This innovative mapping tool combines science a...

How do you take a grassroots idea and turn it into a force for positive change across a region? In this episode, I sit down with Kate Scott, our retiring Deputy Chair and one of the original champions of Thriving Southland, as she reflects on the journey of Southland’s catchment groups and their impact on rural communities. From early volunteer efforts to a powerful network of groups leading susta...

Precision fermentation is a potential game-changer for alternative proteins, but what does that mean for Southland’s farmers? Join me as I chat with Anna Crosbie, an expert in sector development and innovation across the primary industries, and Sandra King, Thriving Southland's project manager, to unpack this emerging technology. We dive into the opportunities and challenges it presents, and t...

Get ready to listen into the latest in farming tech with this episode of Catchment Convos !  Fresh off the first-ever Southern AgriTech and Innovation Day, we’re bringing you all the highlights—from cutting-edge technology to farmer-focused workshops and inspiring keynote speakers.  Our guest this episode is Tania Clarke from Thriving Southland, and we explore how this event brought 300+ attendees...

We’re excited to release this next episode of “Catchment Convos” and you definitely don’t want to miss it! This episode is loaded with real talk about the challenges and opportunities in farming regulations. We're joined by two guests for this discussion - Richard Kyte, Thriving Southland's Project Lead, and Bill Kaye-Blake, a seasoned economist from the New Zealand Institute of Economic R...

Hey Southland farmers! We’re excited to drop this very first episode of Thriving Southland’s new podcast, “Catchment Convos”, your go-to podcast for inspiring stories of grassroots efforts by local farmers and communities driving change and sustainability in the Southland region.  We head to Edendale in this episode, featuring Tim McRae and Birgit Pemberton from the newly formed Edendale Aquifer G...

Catchment groups, projects, events, research, science, field days, and more, Catchment Convos. I'm Rachael Halder, your host and Senior Catchment Coordinator with Thriving Southland. With so much to share and lots in the pipeline, Catchment Convos is a podcast where we're going to talk about all things catchment groups. Whether you're a farmer, a local, or just someone curious about th...