Projects
Our rohe is filled with inspiring projects and this is a platform for sharing project knowledge and stories, learning about what others have done, and gaining the inspiration to help taiao thrive
Want to share your project story and learnings, it’s easy! Fill out the form or contact one of our coordinators to help get setup online with us.
Waimatā Catchment Restoration Project
Waimatā korero
Our aim is to support landowners to better manage the quality of the environment and restore the health of the Waimatā Catchment. This includes reducing loss of soils, controlling riverbank erosion, improving biodiversity on the farms and in the riparian environment of the river and its tributaries, restore wetlands and support the expansion of threatened species in their habitats in the catchment. We do this through implementing stock exclusion fencing, planting native species along the Waimatā River, its tributaries and in and around wetlands, planting poplar and willow in areas where stock exclusion is not practical or whether it will support erosion management and a transition to native species in the longer term. We aim to partner with local hapū on this work and to better understand the relationship between hapū cultural values and the catchment area. We support research into better understanding the values of the catchment and how land management decisions can support those values. We also aim to support the community and its spirit within the catchment so that we are well placed to face the environmental challenges of the future.
Historical Milestones and Events
Farm Environment Plan Workshop June 2020
Became an Incorporated Society July 2020
Predator Control Workshop July 2020
Predator Trapping Workshop Nov 2020
Waikereru Workshop March 2021
Biodiversity Workshop with David Norton March 2021
Public Meeting – Let the River Speak May 2021
Native Planting and Biodiversity Day with Makauri school – Sept 2022
Waimatā River Native Planting Day – Aug 2022
Established 3,500ha intensive predator control network targeting mustelids – 2022
Cyclone Gabrielle fundraising and support to landowners - 2023
Water Quality Field Day – Feb 2024
Lamprey surveying, electrofishing, salt water wedge monitoring and inunga spawning research supported by DoC and Mountains to Sea – 2024-2026
Waimatā Catchment Hunting Competition – June 2025
Roots so Deep Documentary Screening – Jan 2025
Jan 2026
Ongoing water monitoring programme established 2024
Bird surveying with Malcolm Rutherford 2024/25
Established erosion control pole nursery 2025/26
Ecological reports completed across 6000ha of farmland and forestry.
Expanding intensive predator control network to 6000ha – 2026
135,000 native trees planted across the catchment
2860 erosion control poles planted
20+km of riparian, wetland and native bush fenced
News / Media
Waimātā online
Whāngārā Community Catchment Group
Whāngārā korero
The WCCG was formed as an incorporated society in November 2022 and consists of 29 members - farmers, foresters, lifestyle block owners and local hapu Ngati Konohi.
Our purpose is to connect the Whangara community through the protection, restoration and enhancement of the whenua (land)and water (wai) which will enable a healthy community and environment.
Historical Milestones and Events
-Hosted two annual pest control Competitions with a total of 2100 pests eliminated in the catchment.
-Wetland Restoration Project in progress kick started by funding from Landcare/Westpac to restore habitat and protect endangered wetland birds the spotless crake, fernbird and bittern through plantings and pest control
-Renovation of community cottage
-Multiple community workshops
-Supported Farmers in recovery post cyclone gabrielle
-Ongoing work with Wai Connections in monitoring and restoring inanga spawning zones
News / Media
Whāngārā online
Mōtū - Matawai
Catchment Community
Mōtū - Matawai korero
The Mōtū - Matawai Catchment Group is a farmer-led catchment group in the upper Mōtū area, between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne. The group started in 2017, the members are primarily farmers but also include other landowners in the catchment. The group has a strong relationship with Gisborne District Council, iwi, schools and other organisations in the area.
The Group is focused on protecting the crystal-clear waters of the Mōtū River and looking after the biodiversity of the surrounding catchment. The majority of the Main Motū River has been fenced to exclude stock. Further fencing of tributaries and riparian planting has also been completed, and the group plans to continue and expand this work to further protect waterways.
A key focus is the Wilderness Walkway which aims to control pests and weeds and create a biodiversity corridor that links up other conservation projects in the area.
The group plans to increase the number of native trees planted across the catchment, with funding secured from Trees That Count.
Following the recent expansion of the area included in the group, there is a focus on strengthening membership, covering a wider area.
In addition, the group plans to setup some water quality monitoring and work to reduce sediment and E. coli in the Mōtū River.
Historical Milestones and Events
Two successful projects completed with funding from MPI
Planted over 100,000 trees in the catchment
Installed over 30km of fencing
Currently undergoing a pest and weed project to control the pest plants and animals in the catchment
Approved to get 6000 trees from Trees that Count in 2026
Prepared erosion control plans for the members
Held community field days and workshops
News / Media
Mōtū - Matawai online
Weka Guardians
Weka Guardians korero
Weka Guardians represents a collective of landowners, residents, and kaitiaki who are deeply committed to the wellbeing of our land and water.
The overall vision of our group is to support and celebrate our community in means of enabling
An enduring thriving community
Healthy waterways, wetlands and forests,
Enhancement and protection of the character of the area,
Sustainable and resilient businesses
We aim to achieve this by focusing on three key areas – people + place + profitability.
To start, we are focused on place. With goals centered on pest reduction, slope stabilization and gaining a better understanding of our environment.
Historical Milestones and Events
Inaugural pest Competition 2025
Weka Guardians online
Ngātapa Community
Landcare Group
Ngātapa korero
We are a community group, based in Ngātapa Gisborne, who are passionate about environmental restoration.
Key goals:
1. Native plantings thrive and survive.
2. Decrease pest numbers throughout the catchment. Reduce out of control pest numbers.
3. Reduce erosion and amount of sediment being lost. Keep our soil on the hills.
4. Create a community / catchment database – collect and record information such as: freshwater quality, biodiversity – flora and fauna, soil data etc.
5. Coordination of projects across properties.
Historical Milestones and Events
Group Established 2025
Ngātapa online
Eastern Whio Link
Eastern Whio korero
Established in 2020, we are a group made up of hunters, fishers, farmers and manawhenua.
Our aim is to establish an interconnected Whio population from Te Urewera to the East Cape.
We have successfully fledged over 146 Whio Chicks, now have over 1,000 traps and work with over 100 active volunteers.
Historical Milestones and Events
Group Established 2020
Supporters / Sponsors
Origins Foundation, Simply Pure, Department of Conservation, Haines Hunter Taupo
News / Media
Eastern Whio online online
