Funded fences and budding biodiversity in Kaikōura
Industry funding for two Kaikōura farms means a waterway is protected from its spring source, to its confluence with the Kahutara River.
Fonterra’s Sustainable Catchments funding has helped two landowners protect a waterway that runs through both properties, providing a native corridor from the mountains to the sea (ki uta ki tai).
Freshwater, biodiversity, mahinga kai and recreational values are all being protected with the fencing, planting and excavation work completed with the funding.
Funding for project extension
Rod Lamb shares their ten-year planting project plans with the Kaikōura Water Zone Committee.
Landowners Rod and Catherine Lamb are nearing the mid-way mark of their ten-year ecological project reverting 25 ha of land to healthy, restored riparian cover. So far, the Lambs have driven much of the work, with support from our biodiversity fund.
Funding from Fonterra’s Sustainable Catchment Fund has enabled them to keep making progress on their current efforts, with earthworks and planting.
Wet areas near the bottom of the farm have been re-battered to direct the water into places and spaces where wetland plant species like flaxes, Carex secta and toetoecan grow, creating habitat for birds, insects, and aquatic life.
Large rocks were placed at the exit points of the ponds to assist in filtering the water as it exits the ponds, reducing sediment entering the waterway downstream of their property. The rocks also create habitat for fish species.
Nearly 700 natives were planted as a result of the Fonterra funding. Combined with their previous efforts, they’ve now put around 2800 roots in the ground.
Rod said the support from the two organisations meant they were able to progress the project a lot quicker.
“Environment Canterbury and Fonterra have both been brilliant to work with,” he said.
“The funding has chipped significant time off this project for us, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
“There’s lots of support out there for farmers and having Environment Canterbury there supporting us to know where the right places to look for that support is, is just so helpful.”
Multiple projects form catchment approach
Upstream of the waterway that flows through the Lamb’s property, a second Fonterra Sustainable Catchment site is protecting the upper reaches of the stream by fencing off the gully that it flows down.
Native plants form the bulk of the Dunleas project which complements further planting being undertaken by them along their existing ponds.
“It’s been extraordinary to see the progress and level of protection that a couple of neighbours in one area can create,” says our land management and biodiversity advisor Pete Bradshaw.
“The catchment approach has massive merit, and I can’t thank the Lambs and Dunleas enough for putting their hand up and creating such an awesome example of combined mahi – it just has so much more bang for buck,” he says.
“This is really what the Sustainable Catchment funding is all about,” Fonterra’s Sustainable Catchments Engagement Manager Hemi Bedggood says.
“Having such a large area already set aside for restoration meant we were able to support the Lambs to create the ki uta ki tai (mountain to the sea) connection for native biodiversity they’re aiming for,” he says.
Find out about other projects in the zone
- Hapuku Scarp wetland – Kaikōura project funded
Kahutara catchment projects: