Catchment Convos by Thriving Southland is your go-to podcast for all things Southland Catchment Groups. Dive into thriving projects being driven from the ground up by passionate farmers, communities and industry. Each episode, we explore how these initiatives are transforming our landscapes and fostering sustainability. Join us to hear inspiring stories and practical insights from those making a difference in Southland.
Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust (BHMET) | Ep 21
What started with a dead tītī and a community saying “we’ve got to do something” has turned into an 18-year conservation project with an army of automatic traps, a native plant nursery and a much bigger vision for Southland. But how do you keep predators down, bring the forest back to life, and get an entire community behind the work?
In this episode, I’m joined by David Swann from the Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust to hear how a grassroots project in Bluff has grown, what they’ve learned along the way, and why technology, good data and strong relationships are changing what community conservation can look like.
Key Takeways
Why good data and automatic traps could be a game changer for catchment and community groups trying to control predators over larger areas.
How habitat restoration, native plant production and community relationships all work together to create lasting environmental outcomes.
Why working alongside farmers, catchment groups and local communities is essential for connecting conservation efforts across the landscape.
David shares his experience of building practical conservation solutions in Bluff, including the trust’s native plant nursery, its network of more than 120 connected traps, and why protecting the Awarua Waituna Wetland is one of the team’s big ambitions.
If you’re wondering what’s possible when a community sticks with a conservation project for the long haul, press play and hear what’s happening on Bluff Hill Motupōhue.
#catchmentgroups #thrivingsouthland #communityconservation #predatorcontrol
Connect with Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust
Website: https://www.motupohue.nz/ (https://www.motupohue.nz/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BHMET (https://www.facebook.com/BHMET)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BHMET (https://www.youtube.com/@BHMET)
Email: info@motupohue.nz (mailto:info@motupohue.nz)
Connect with us at Thriving Southland
Website: https://www.thrivingsouthland.co.nz/ (https://www.thrivingsouthland.co.nz/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingSouthland/ (https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingSouthland/)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCERVHLoTWa0c4IL4BC4b_Kw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCERVHLoTWa0c4IL4BC4b_Kw)
Email: office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz (mailto:office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz)
26 Aug 2026
Tech on Farm | Ep 20
What if the right technology could save you hours, reduce the workload on your team, and help you make better decisions on farm? Host, Sarah Thorne, chats with farmers Nick Wadworth and Craig Steenson about the practical tech they’re using every day to make farming more efficient.
From drones, cow collars and automated drafting to farm apps, shared calendars, Starlink, AI and even building their own systems, Nick and Craig share what’s actually working on their farms. They also talk honestly about the challenges of getting staff on board, choosing technology that earns its keep, and why good farming knowledge still needs to come first.
Key Takeways
See how technology can save time, reduce manual work and improve the accuracy of everyday farm decisions.
Get practical ideas for introducing new technology and helping your team use it effectively.
Learn how to decide whether a new tool is genuinely worth the investment, and where to start if you're ready to try something new.
Nick Wadworth and Craig Steenson share their hands-on experience using technology across sheep, beef and dairy farming in Southland.
If you’ve been wondering whether a new piece of tech could make life easier on your farm, have a listen and pick up an idea you can put into practice.
#TechOnFarm #AgriTech #SouthlandFarming #FarmTechnology #CatchmentConvos #catchmentgroups #southlandfarming #ThrivingSouthland
Connect with us at Thriving Southland
Website: https://www.thrivingsouthland.co.nz/ (https://www.thrivingsouthland.co.nz/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingSouthland/ (https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingSouthland/)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCERVHLoTWa0c4IL4BC4b_Kw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCERVHLoTWa0c4IL4BC4b_Kw)
Email: office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz (mailto:office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz)
2 Jun 2026
Wetlands working on Farm | Ep 19
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 wetlands actually do, why protecting existing wetlands matters, and how farmers can start small without turning their whole farm into a wetland project. Justin shares practical lessons from projects across Southland, including the mistakes, surprises, and simple steps farmers can take right now.
Key Takeaways
Why small wetlands spread across farms can have a big impact on water quality, biodiversity, and flood management
How to identify low-performing or boggy areas on your farm that could become simple wetland projects
Practical advice on starting small, avoiding common mistakes, and working with the landscape instead of against it
Justin Kitto is the Environment Manager at DairyNZ and has worked alongside Southland catchment groups and farmers on wetland restoration and constructed wetland projects across the region.
If you’ve been curious about wetlands but weren’t sure where to start, this episode will give you practical ideas, real examples, and the confidence to take the first step on your own farm.
#catchmentgroups #southlandfarming #ThrivingSouthland #Wetlands #DairyNZ #Waterquality
Connect with us at Thriving Southland
Website: https://www.thrivingsouthland.co.nz/ (https://www.thrivingsouthland.co.nz/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingSouthland/ (https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingSouthland/)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCERVHLoTWa0c4IL4BC4b_Kw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCERVHLoTWa0c4IL4BC4b_Kw)
Email: office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz (mailto:office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz)
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Podcast Authority Score: 37 / 100
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