Otago is home to wildlife found nowhere else - and the community is being asked to help decide how best to protect it.

Otago Regional Council (ORC) has opened public consultation on its draft Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy, aimed at safeguarding the region’s native plants, animals, and ecosystems.

From kea in the Southern Alps to hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins) along the coast, giant wētā in the Rock and Pillar Range, and sun-basking mokomoko (skinks) in Central Otago, the region’s biodiversity is diverse.

Refuge streams shelter galaxiid fish, wind-swept ridge-tops support threatened cushion plants and native grasses, while coastal estuaries nurture tuaki (cockles) and pakeke (New Zealand sea lions).

These are the species and ecosystems the strategy aims to protect, ORC chair Hilary Calvert said.

“Across the region, mana whenua, communities, landowners, and businesses are stepping up - and in true Otago fashion, they’re already making a difference,” she said. 

“But more is needed.”

“ORC’s draft Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy builds on the work happening right now and what we’ve already heard from the public and brings together ORC’s work programmes and strengths: the knowledge we hold, our approach to integrated catchment management, biosecurity work, and empowering others through our catchment advisors.”

She said the draft strategy includes a long-term vision for the region and shorter-term goals for between now and 2040.

“It sets the course for us to deliver on our responsibilities and meet our community’s expectations to look after our unique biodiversity.”

Hilary said members of the community should read the draft strategy and share their feedback to help shape the final strategy.

Learn more here. 

Feedback closes on November 31.

PHOTO: Corey Mosen