Letters to MfE, DOC and Otago Regional Council regarding the health of Otago's deep-water alpine lakes

^{Lake Wānaka; Richard Lin, Unsplash}

Over the course of 2022 and 2023 the Commissioner wrote to the Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation and Otago Regional Council regarding his concerns about the conservation and management of Otago’s deep-water alpine lakes.

The 2022 Commissioner's letters to MfE and DOC outline his concerns about the declining health of Otago's iconic deepwater alpine lakes and ask for details on what monitoring of the environmental state of the lakes the agencies are undertaking or planning to do.

The 2023 Commissioner's letters to MfE and DOC question their limited engagement with community groups in their work towards the conservation and management of Otago’s deep-water alpine lakes. In the absence of commitment and support from government agencies there are concerns for ongoing funding for community groups working in the area. The Commissioner recommends MfE and DOC consider joining the Otago Deep Lakes Management Working Group and the Otago Inland Deep Lakes Technical Advisory Group, and support community groups in their quest for funding.

The 2022 Commissioner's letters to ORC outline his concerns about the declining health of Otago's iconic deepwater alpine lakes. He asks for details on how the council is monitoring the environmental state of the lakes, and what actions it is undertaking to address the findings. 

Response letters from MfE, DOC and ORC are also published.