The Wairoa Hill Country project is about innovating and sharing the knowledge for more resilient farming. This project started mid-winter 2010 and will run to the end of 2012.
This project is confined to the Nuhaka/Kopuawhara, Whakaki and Ruakaturi catchments where the aim is to help make farms more resilient to drought, storms and erosion through a "whole farm approach". Check out our latest project updates.
The Wairoa District has been severely affected during the last 4 years by extreme events (droughts, high rainfall etc.) and the 3 catchments are facing ongoing issues with erosion, soil & water quality.
Instead of regulation, MAF and the Regional Council are helping the local communities to improve their results by focusing on farming for resilience. By working with the community, we can identify the issues, seek new ideas, and develop and implement alternative methods to improve results. The aim is also to create enough momentum in these communities to keep the work going beyond the project. Community groups and an issue focussed group (kikuyu) are established or planned.
Funding for the project comes from Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Regional Landcare Scheme, the Afforestation Grant Scheme (AGS), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and farmer contribution.
Our goals in the next few months are to promote systems that are resilient, be open to new ideas and carry out trials, and to develop a community approach (partnership groups & focus farms).
We are also planning for group meetings and field days -
Kikuyu management/ eradication – The third meeting of the Nuhaka Kikuyu Group will be held at Grant Crawshaw’s woolshed at the end of January 2011. We want to set up a strategy for next autumn spraying programmes and talk about management. We are in contact with a chemical company that could be interested in sponsoring us for our project on Lim Robinson’s paddock.
Resilient pasture - Hilton Alexander used the Resilient pasture trial for his discussion group meeting in October 10. 25 farmers attended and really enjoyed the demonstration. Hilton wishes to open this trial to every farmer sometime in April 2011 and focus on the resilient pasture trial and the management of old poplars. The discussion group made the suggestion that an oversowing trial on a paddock scale could be very interesting. It could be another demonstration for next year.
Tree management and Alternative tree species - A Field day has been organised for February 2011 both at Peter Bremner’s and Dave read’s (pollarding poplars & willows, Trees Lucerne).
Soil enhancement trial - Visit John Ross’s farm (first viewing/discussion) and invite Graham Shepherd in March 2011 to organize a Visual Soil Assessment. Graham will also refer to liming and fertilising options.
And some other fields of investigation for the future:
- Drains, stream protection (fence type, species)
- Management of young poplars (girdling)
- Lime and alternative fertiliser regime
- Native species for soil conservation work
 | 28/30 September 2010 - Soil enhancement wood chip trial at Ross farm (first viewing/discussion). October 2010 – Second meeting of the Nuhaka Kikuyu Group. We want to set up a strategy for next spring spraying programmes. We need to present the Massey University results and suggestions (one of the students could come and present some of the options). We have to discuss how we can use Lim Robinson’s paddock as a trial. |
October 2010 - Hilton Alexander wants to use his resilient pasture trial for his discussion group meeting in October. Open to all farmers with focus on the trial and also management of old poplars.
Human resources
Part time facilitator: John Ross
- A local farmer also involved with Federated Farmers (Chairman for the District).
- Contacts, visits and interviews farmers
- Identifies issues affecting both farms & local communities
- Works with the Land Management Advisor on issues raised
- Organizes demonstrations, trials & facilitated meetings with the team to improve local results.
| Full time Land Management Advisor: Nic Caviale - Brings technical advice to the problems raised (erosion, biodiversity, pasture etc)
- Seeks funding (RLS, AGS etc)
- Achieve on request Farm plans & Erosion control plans
- Organizes demonstrations, trials & facilitated meetings with the team to improve local results
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Manager: Peter Manson
- 25 years of involvement in the Wairoa District as a Land Management Advisor
- Oversees the Wairoa Hill Country Project
- Gives technical & financial advice
- Organize with the team demonstrations, trials & facilitated meetings to improve local results.
Financial resources
Regional Landcare Scheme (RLS). Grant including:
- Soil Conservation (pole planting etc)
- Preservation of Native Bush
- Riparian or stream retirement
- Wetland restoration / enhancement
- Coastal biodiversity protection & enhancement (Dunes)
- Alternative projects (trials, demonstrations : Poplar Management, fodder shrub, wood chip etc)
- Afforestation Grant Scheme (AGS)
- MAF – Promotional (HCE)
- Farmer contribution
Newspaper Articles
Council Newsletter - Big Picture
Wairoa Hill Country Project Flyer Newsletter