Their Excellencies, the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy and Sir David Gascoigne, toured several key sites in the Selwyn District last Wednesday.
They started at Ngāti Moki Marae at Taumutu and finished at Lincoln University’s Ashley Dene Research and Development Station.
Former Lincoln University Chancellor and current Environment Canterbury Councillor Tom Lambie said the visit represented an excellent opportunity to showcase all the good work happening on the ground around the lake, and research activity at the university.
“Their Excellencies saw Te Waihora first hand, and the work being done to restore the mauri of the lake,” Mr Lambie said. “There was a presentation by one of the Ngāi Tahu Co-Governors, Liz Brown, who gave an overview of Te Waihora and the catchment in terms of the vision for the lake and plans for restoration of its mauri.”
The group stopped at several restoration sites before reaching the Lincoln University Ashley Dene Research and Development Station, where presentations were made by several Lincoln academics, including Assistant Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Edwards, Soil Science Professor Keith Cameron, Livestock Production Professor Pablo Gregorini, Tourism Professor David Simmons, and Dr Blair Miller from Lincoln Agritech.
The group spoke about the importance of contributing to better water outcomes while driving innovation in the agriculture, tourism and conservation sectors, with particular reference to environmental protection within managed landscapes.
Lincoln University Vice-Chancellor James McWha said the visit was a great success.
“The Governor-General showed a keen interest in the restoration work, and in our research activities, which aim to find solutions for conserving water while improving productivity.”