Mackenzie Basin
Failure to protect our landscapes: calls for central governance
A new report condemns the system for failing to protect our landscapes and calls for more direction from central government. The Environmental Defence Society's just released Synthesis Report argues… Audio
Mystery of 'monstrous' cats reignited in South Island
For more than 50 years the presence of wild puma-like cats in the South Island has been a keenly debated topic. Two sightings of "monstrous" cats earlier this month in North Canterbury have again… Audio
Protesters dressed as cows oppose Mackenzie Basin farm
The protesters mooed and chanted outside the office of Murray Valentine, who has resource consent to farm up to 5000 dairy cows on his Simons Pass property. Video, Audio
From cow paddocks to corporate offices
West Coast dairy farmer Katie Milne talks about life on the farm at Rotomanu, educating kids about agriculture, confronting environmental issues and some of the other challenges she's faced so far as… Audio
Chemical camouflage - putting predators off the scent
Could chemical camouflage save rare birds by putting predators off the scent? Ecologists are testing the idea in the Mackenzie Basin. Video, Audio
New home for endangered black stilts
A new breeding aviary for the world's rarest wading bird is about to be built in the Mackenzie Basin near Twizel, the Conservation Minister says.
Fed Farmers withdraws appeal over Mackenzie Basin
Federated Farmers has withdrawn its appeal over the Environment Court's Mackenzie Basin decision.
Federated Farmers rejects call for Mackenzie land sale moratorium
Federated Farmers is rejecting a court's call for a moratorium on Crown land sales to farmers in the South Island's Mackenzie Basin.
Fed Farmers opposing temp ban on Mackenzie Basin farm conversion
A moratorium is being proposed as a solution to ensure the South Island's Mackenzie Basin is protected, but Federated Farmers has rejected the idea. Audio
Mackenzie Basin's battle of the lupins
A battle has developed in the Mackenzie Basin over the humble lupin, and taxpayer money is now being spent to simultaneously cultivate and eradicate what's become an iconic tourism emblem. Audio
Insight for 1 June 2014 - High Stakes in the High Country
In this week's Insight Graeme Acton travels to the heart of the South Island High Country, where farmers and environmentalists are locked in a battle pitting farming intensification against those who… Audio
Mackenzie Country irrigation plan
A stoush over the Mackenzie Country landscape is shaping up as farmers seek water rights to irrigate more than 27,000 ha of the Mackenzie Basin and Upper Waitaki Valley. Audio