Abstract
The Taiari River is the second-largest river in Otago and flows from the sub-alpine uplands in the Māniatoto for more than 280 km to Taiari Mouth. The river catchment contains several key freshwater values and unique ecosystems. In this report, the Taiari is split into four subcatchments, each with their own unique freshwater values and climate change risks. The four subcatchments are the lower Taiari basin, the Mid Taiari, the Māniatoto and the Taiari/Waipōuri uplands. The Taiari scroll plain in the Māniatoto basin is one of the only inland scroll plains in New Zealand, Sutton Salt Lake in the Mid Taiari is the only inland saline lake wetland system in New Zealand, and the Waipōuri -Waihora wetland complex represents a significant wetland system in the lower Taiari basin. There is also a second upland environment above the Waipōuri-Waihora wetland complex which contains Lake Mahinerangi and several alpine wetlands. The Taiari River is one of 14 rivers in DOC’s Ngā Awa River Restoration Programme.
Using the best available data and expert knowledge this report summarises the key freshwater ecosystem and species values within the catchment, describes how climate change could impact these values, and outlines the future management and research options to mitigate the effects of climate change on the catchment.