The Waikato Regional Council’s upper Waiomou catchment habitat enhancement project has ended, having restored 48km of waterways along the Tukutāpere, Rapurapu and Waiomou streams.

The four-year project worked with landowners to retire and plant out riparian margins along those waterways by controlling overgrown willow and poplar trees and other pest plants, and by planting out a native corridor in their place.

The council’s Hauraki catchments unit lead, Mike Houghton, said all the landowners were really generous with their setbacks, retiring larger margins than they had been asked to.

“This uptake and dedication meant we exceeded all our project targets, but by going above and beyond, we’ve been able to increase the project’s benefits. 

“The wider margins can intercept more nutrients and run-off from reaching waterways. We’ve retired additional steep slopes, which helps to prevent soil erosion, and we’ve been able to create way more habitat and corridors for our native wildlife.”

The completion of the upper Waiomou habitat enhancement project was celebrated on September 13 with a group of landowners, stakeholders, contractors and staff visiting some of the restoration sites.

The project included partnership funding from the Ministry for the Environment, Fonterra and Ngā Whenua Rāhui, which was able to provide landowners with up to 80% of the costs of the restoration work completed.

The objectives of the project were:

• The removal and thinning of overgrown poplars and willows that were either choking streams or at risk of collapse.

• Stock exclusion by fencing to keep stock away from stream sides.

• Pest plant control, by combining mulching and herbicide treatment to control a range of pest plants.

• Re-vegetation of riparian margins with native plants to connect the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park to the Waihou River.

In total, 36 environmental programme agreements with landowners enabled 49 hectares of land to be controlled for pest plants and retired, including 48km of fencing and revegetation with 225,344 native plants.

Te Hanga North Lands Trust trustee Les Kinred said that when Waikato Regional Council first asked about retiring riparian margins on Māori-owned land, “we were mighty suspicious”.

“But the information and advice they provide, and the mapping and the planning, it all proves to be very helpful,” Kinred said, with the trust retiring 3.5ha along 1.1km of stream length and putting nearly 15,000 plants into the ground. 

Landowner Peter Bellamy said the project has been really worthwhile.

He retired 1.4km along both sides of the Waiomou Stream with setbacks of up to 20m. The area had a lot of large privet trees on his land, along with bindweed and Japanese honey suckle.

“I realise the maintenance of the plants is coming back to me but that seems easy compared to the work that has been done.

“And finding out about the native bat population, from an ecological assessment, that was a real buzz moment.”

Hauraki Coromandel catchments manager Emily O’Donnell said the initial driver of the project was to deal with a legacy issue relating to the planting of poplar and willows along streams banks.

“Many had reached maturity, were oversized and tipping over, exposing riverbanks and exacerbating erosion.

“None of this work would have possible without the vision and generosity of the landowners, who opened their farm gates and welcomed our staff and contractors.”

Horizons Regional Council is leaving landowners along the Ōroua and Pohangina rivers in the dark over potential major changes to flood management, Ian Strahan says. 

“These are the same ratepayers stumping up half a million dollars a year in targeted river rates,” the Federated Farmers Manawatū-Rangitikei president says. 

“They’re also the ones hit the hardest when the rivers flood.  

“The council’s communication and engagement with them over proposed new ways to manage rivers has been totally inadequate and it really grinds my gears. 

“We’ve got a regional council that’s good at consulting, but not so good at getting the views and inputs of the stakeholders that will have to live with the impacts of their decisions.” 

Memories of high rainfall in February 2004 that caused widespread flood damage in Manawatū-Rangitikei and Whanganui live on strongly in many people’s minds, Strahan says.   

For landowners next to the Ōroua and Pohangina, especially north of Feilding, Cyclone Gabrielle last year was even worse. 

“A lot of rain hit the Ruahine ranges and surged down those rivers,” Strahan says.  

“Bank protection, rock work, tied trees and other infrastructure in these rivers’ catchment schemes were smashed.” 

The damage was put at $8 million, swamping the $630,000 built up in reserves. 

Last year Horizons was given $300,000 from the Government to look at ‘nature-based solutions’ to things like flood management and aquatic wildlife mobility.  

It’s well recognised that man-made solutions, such as river channel straightening, rock groynes and stopbanks, help contain rivers and protect property in smaller floods, but also degrade river ecology. 

In large floods, these solutions can increase risk because the energy contained at high flow is released in powerful torrents if the banks break or are overtopped. 

A governance group was formed last November to oversee the creation of “an holistic and sustainable” flood protection model for the Pohangina and Ōroua rivers, and the section of Manawatū river between them. 

The group’s aims include prioritising the river’s room “to move to express her natural character”, restoring riparian margins, increasing channel size and capacity, and maintaining fish passage and habitat. 

The catchment schemes for the Pohangina and Ōroua rivers were set up many years ago. 

Their purpose was to protect people, property and infrastructure, and allow for the productive potential of land use to be realised. 

Strahan says the objectives of the proposed new approach are a million miles away from the stated original purpose. 

“It seems that with the council’s new direction being investigated, every community and interest is being catered for except landowners adjacent to the river, who are footing the lion’s share of the bills.  

“Nature should not be prioritised at the expense of everything else – there needs to be a balance.” 

Strahan agrees that, in the face of devastating floods, and predictions we’ll see more of them, alternative solutions deserve debate. 

“I get it. Something needs doing and we may need to do it differently. 

“We haven’t had a decent flood since Gabrielle along those rivers, and just as well. The next flood will severely impact the area.   

“There’s high-quality farmland along there with zero protection. Flooded rivers will eat straight into that and take a lot of land, infrastructure and potentially buildings with it.” 

Strahan says he elbowed his way onto the governance group out of concern about the way things were heading.   

He also believed two existing farmer representatives on the group were not able to adequately relay what was happening to landowners. 

“Horizons have the addresses to send out rates bills but not, apparently, to send updates on what’s going on – nor to hold meetings.” 

He tried to get those addresses so he could do it himself, but this was refused. 

At a farmer meeting where the topic came up, Strahan says landowners had excellent information to share about flood experiences and their thoughts on solutions. 

“I don’t like to think how much money and resource is being swallowed up in administration and investigating side issues, which could be spent on actual works. 

“Councils don’t seem able to do things efficiently, unlike the rest of the economy.   

“But they go tearing off in a direction, with an agenda, and a governance group on which the people with the most skin in the game are poorly represented.” 

Strahan intends inviting the council chair, and any councillors willing to come, to visit his farm and hear from farmers directly. 

Federated Farmers, New Zealand’s leading independent rural advocacy organisation, has established a news and insights partnership with AgriHQ, the country’s leading rural publisher, to give the farmers of New Zealand a more informed, united and stronger voice. Federated Farmers news and commentary appears each week in its own section of the Farmers Weekly print edition and online.

The Environmental Protection Authority board has had a refresh with four new appointments announced by Environment Minister Penny Simmonds.

The new board members are Barry O’Neil, Jennifer Scoular, Alison Stewart and Nancy Tuaine, who have been appointed for a three-year term ending in August 2027.

“They bring a wealth of experience in the horticultural and agricultural science fields, as well as sound governance experience,” Simmonds said.

Paul Connell, who has served as a board member since August 2021, has been reappointed as both a board member and as acting interim chair, following chair Colin Dawson’s term ending.

Simmonds will make one further appointment later this month.

The EPA is New Zealand’s national environmental regulator, playing a vital role across the entire economy.

“It’s critical to have timely decision making for the agriculture and horticulture sector, alongside ensuring positive environmental outcomes. EPA decisions impact the daily lives of all New Zealanders,”  Simmonds said.

“I would like to thank the outgoing board members, including past chairman, Colin Dawson, and board members, Tīpene Wilson, Andrea Byrom and Heather Simpson. I would especially like to acknowledge the various contributions Tīpene Wilson has made over the past 20 years.”

The Southland farm community is facing uncertainty with unclear messaging from Environment Southland on nutrient limits, targets and timelines for freshwater rules, says farmer and council deputy chair Jeremy McPhail. 

At an Environment Southland public strategy and policy committee meeting held last week, the council confirmed nutrient limits will form part of the 2027 plan change but “what these will look like is yet to be determined”.  

McPhail voted no to a 2025 plan change, expressing frustration about the process and the lack of information the council is providing to the community in regards to setting nutrient limits and targets.

Councillors reached a number of resolutions at the meeting. 

Changes to the Southland Water and Land Plan and Regional Policy Statement, giving full effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, will be notified by the end of 2027, and earlier if practicable.

The council also confirmed messaging around freshwater reforms.

The council will be working with communities over the next two years to develop catchment plans that detail the actions the community wishes to take to improve freshwater.

“Those responsible for the greatest environmental impact will need to make a greater contribution,” an Environment Southland spokesperson said. 

“Limits will form part of the 2027 plan change but what these will look like is yet to be determined.  A reference period will be used in the future, and we encourage landowners to record information from the last 10 years (for example, a reference period of July 2014 to June 2019) on land use area and type, stock types and numbers, fertiliser use, and actions adopted on farm.”

The council directed staff to continue scoping a plan change to the proposed Southland Water and Land Plan and Regional Policy Statement to set long-term goals, address minor issues and enable improved environmental practice for notification in the first half of 2025.

Earlier this month the council said in a press release that, despite the government announcing a pause to the rollout of the national farm plan system, in Southland implementing farm plans is underway as they form a key part of the Southland Water and Land Plan.

Environment Southland chair Nicol Horrell said while there’s some detail still to be worked through around timing, farmers should start pulling together the information for farm plans.

As part of the 2025 plan change, Environment Southland will be updating the farming rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan to provide an option of using a farm plan as a potential alternative to some consenting requirements.

New government funding of $3 million will enable AgResearch scientists to explore new ways to tackle industry challenges such as plant disease and reducing environmental impacts.

The three Smart Idea grants are from the government’s 2024 Endeavour Fund, announced by Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins. The Endeavour Fund is aimed at supporting excellent research that pushes boundaries and deliver results to positively transform New Zealand’s economy, environment and society.

The three AgResearch projects to receive funding feature research using technology known as RNAi to control fungal diseases threatening plants and animals, nanofertilisers to reduce pollution from nitrogen loss, and development of new generation biomaterials from protein.

AgResearch chief scientist Axel Heiser said it is always exciting to see the bright ideas of scientists getting the support to test them out.

 “I think we all recognise now that given the challenges our primary industries are facing, a business-as-usual approach isn’t going to be enough. Investing into research that explores new approaches to long-running problems is critical, and the payoff over time can be significant.”

The successful AgResearch projects are:

 • Superior protein biocomposites through tailored gradients of nature-inspired microstructure ($1m)

 Protein is commonly know as something we eat, but in nature it is used for a diversity of hard, soft and elastic structures. For example, cat claws, spider silk, our nails and our hair are all protein. What makes silk elastic or claws sharp lies in how proteins are ordered at both molecular and microscopic scales, and like nesting dolls, these materials contain hierarchical layers of order.

 In this Smart Idea project, the aim is to design a new generation of custom-made biomaterials inspired by the way that nature optimally organises proteins at a microscopic level as a material forms. Natural control of microscopic structure of protein materials allow AgResearch to make tailored biomaterials that are flexible, stiff or have gradients of effect, like in-built hinges. Products made this new way will be environmentally friendly and sustainable compared to the material they will replace (largely plastics). Not only are protein materials safely compostable (no microplastics) but they are also recyclable. 

Compared to other green alternatives, such as paper, products made from these next-generation materials will inherit the unique combinations of natural benefits brought by proteins, such as fire retardancy, breathability and odour absorption. 

 • Silencing fungal diseases: unlocking RNAi as novel tool to control Agricultural Pathogens ($999,999.96)

Globally, fungi pose a significant threat to animal and plant species, causing 65% of pathogen-driven host losses. The estimated annual global economic burden of fungal crop diseases is roughly US$200 billion (about $324bn), whereas in farm animals it is poorly reported globally. 

For instance, Pithomyces chartarum, the causal organism of facial eczema (FE), costs  $332m a year in New Zealand. Traditional agriculture heavily relies on chemical agents to combat fungal pathogens, but this approach harms the environment. 

AgResearch proposes employing RNAi technology to create environmentally friendly double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules targeting virulence genes in Pithomyces chartarum. 

This research will yield new knowledge, IP, and technologies that enhance animal production systems, promote chemical-free practices and improve animal welfare, while bolstering global confidence in NZ’s animal products. 

It will support the globally recognised team in developing RNAi therapeutics and technology platforms for emerging agricultural applications. The enhanced detection capabilities will substantially reduce costs and enhance existing Pithomyces chartarum forecasting systems, thereby safeguarding NZ’s pasture and farm animals.

• Foliar nitrogen nanofertilizers (Nnf), increasing nitrogen use efficiency and reducing environmental pollution ($999,999)

The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of dairy grazing NZ systems using a novel approach targeted to increase the efficiency of nitrogen delivery to plants. 

The team will combine nanotechnology, engineering, environmental and agronomic evaluations to assess the effectiveness and direct impact of the proposal. 

Federated Farmers says regional councils are continuing to plough ahead with changes to freshwater rules and the Government needs to take urgent action to pull them into line. 

“It’s completely outrageous what’s going on with these regional councils,” says Colin Hurst, Federated Farmers vice-president and spokesperson for freshwater.

“We’ve got a situation where a number of councils around the country are deliberately choosing to ignore the direction of central Government and push ahead with plan changes. 

“These councils don’t seem to care in the slightest that Ministers have said the national rules are changing, or that they’ll be needlessly wasting ratepayers’ money.”

Otago Regional Council (ORC) has recently faced intense media and political scrutiny for its continued insistence on pushing through expensive new freshwater rules in October.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) has recently started a 10-day consultation on a plan change that will incorporate new rules for winter grazing and dairy land use into its regional plan. 

Environment Southland (ES) is also planning to notify a new regional plan in the coming months that will introduce onerous new freshwater rules for farmers.  

“The situation has now become so dire that we’re calling on central Government to take drastic measures and intervene,” Hurst says. 

“This is serious stuff that could completely reshape our farming landscapes and rural communities, in spite of a new national direction coming for freshwater management.” 

This week Federated Farmers has formally written to Environment Minister Penny Simmonds urging her to intervene.  

The letter calls on the Government to take urgent legislative action to prevent regional councils from notifying these plan changes until a new national direction is in place. 

“We’re asking the Government to put a ‘pause’ in place while it establishes a new framework to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA),” Hurst says. 

“The Government has been very clear it will be setting a new national direction for how freshwater should be managed by councils and rewriting resource management laws.

“By continuing to move forward with these plan changes, regional councils are essentially giving central Government the middle finger and actively undermining that work.” 

ECan intends to push go on new regulations before the National Environment Standards expire on 31 December, which Hurst says is overriding the Government’s repeal of those regulations. 

Several other regional councils have also signalled their intent to push through plan changes in the first half of 2025. 

“The sheer arrogance of these regional councils needlessly pushing ahead with these plan changes is completely unbelievable,” Hurst says.

“By turning a deaf ear and blindly changing ahead, all they’re going to end up doing is wasting time and money, and completely eroding what little trust may remain with their ratepayers.”  

Federated Farmers is concerned that councils passing new freshwater plans and regional policy statements risk locking in the previous Government’s unobtainable freshwater bottom lines and Te Mana o Te Wai requirements. 

With the RMA set to be repealed, there’s also a very real prospect that ratepayer money will be wasted developing rules that councils will need to change almost immediately, Hurst says. 

“These regional councils have made it very clear that they’re hell-bent on notifying these plan changes and won’t stop unless they’re forced to.

“This means, unless the Government intervenes, the likes of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland will ram through new rules before the national direction is reviewed.

“In practical terms, this would essentially mean that despite the Labour Government being voted out of office, its National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 will be locked in.” 

Hurst says that would be a bitter pill for farmers to swallow.

“If that were to happen, all of the new Government’s efforts to make freshwater regulations more practical, affordable or workable will make absolutely no difference behind the farm gate.

“The most frustrating thing about all of this is that farmers are really committed to improving freshwater outcomes and want to do the right thing.

“We just need an enabling regulatory framework that allows us to make those improvements in a way that doesn’t stop us from farming altogether.” 

Federated Farmers has invited Minister Simmonds to discuss the matter further.

Federated Farmers, New Zealand’s leading independent rural advocacy organisation, has established a news and insights partnership with AgriHQ, the country’s leading rural publisher, to give the farmers of New Zealand a more informed, united and stronger voice. Federated Farmers news and commentary appears each week in its own section of the Farmers Weekly print edition and online.

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi has spoken out against the government for failing to bring a plan to the table to save around 300 jobs in the Ruapehu district, following Winstone Pulp International’s decision to close two mills. 

Hundreds of people are set to lose their jobs after Winstone Pulp, one of the Central North Island’s biggest employers, announced this week it will be pulling the plug on the Karioi pulp mill and the Tangiwai sawmill for good.

NZCTU president Richard Wagstaff said the mill closures will be devastating for the Ruapehu district, which is already dealing with high unemployment and a lack of opportunities. 

“Our hearts go out to all the workers who have lost their jobs, and we stand in solidarity with them at this terribly difficult time.

“Government has a responsibility to keep rural communities alive by supporting regional economic development and stepping in to show leadership when critical industries are struggling. Writing off whole communities is simply unacceptable.” 

In recent weeks, the company had been meeting with energy company Mercury and government ministers to find a way to keep the mills open.

But the company made the call on Tuesday, September 10, to close the mills, blaming unsustainable spot energy prices.

Responding to the news of the closures, Octopus Energy said that New Zealand’s prolonged high electricity prices necessitate urgent regulatory changes for increased market competition and improved investment.

“The Electricity Authority has been warned for years by industry and exporters that market arrangements have made electricity uncompetitive and prices too high for our productive sector,” Octopus Energy chief operating officer Margaret Cooney said.

She said New Zealand urgently needs more competition and regulatory change to support better competition and investment in generation.

“We have been experiencing sustained high prices in New Zealand for almost six years. The way forward is not to simply hope for more rain in our lakes, or to import LNG. This is simply not enough to address the underlying challenge of continuing high prices.

 “It is absolutely essential that the current review into the electricity market provides real action rather than deferring change.

She said she can’t imagine the amount of stress and upheaval for all the families and communities that are being impacted by the closure of these mills.

Wagstaff said the government had the power to keep the mill alive by creating a plan for power price stability, but it failed to deliver.

“Local manufacturing plays an important role in our regional economies and that needs to be protected into the future. It is the role of government to guarantee this by implementing employment, regional development and Just Transition strategies that prioritise job creation and protection in rural communities,” he said.

“Everyone deserves good work that is secure and pays well, regardless of where they live. This decision shows we have a long way to go to make that a reality.”

Today, September 10, is World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to reflect on New Zealand’s confronting suicide statistics. This was the message from government as it launched consultation for the draft Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2025-2029.

Reflecting on the day, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said “every death by suicide is a tragedy – a tragedy that affects far too many of our families and communities in New Zealand. He said that as a country we should do better to address this.

“I am particularly concerned at the increasing levels of distress among our young people, and New Zealand’s youth suicide rate remains unacceptably high. 

While there has been some progress in strengthening NZ’s suicide prevention and postvention system, he said, there are still gaps that need addressing.

A study released last year also found that rural suicide rates are higher than its urban counterpart.

Research led by University of Otago Professor Garry Nixon shows twice the number of people under 30 living in rural areas die compared to those in cities.

Doocey said with current action plan is coming to an end later this year, it is now appropriate to refresh the focus of the country’s suicide prevention efforts to best meet the current challenges.

“This draft action plan responds to feedback shared with us by the communities, families and people affected.”

He said the actions in the draft plan reflect the government’s mental health priorities to improve access to suicide prevention and postvention support, grow a workforce able to support those at risk of or impacted by suicide, and to strengthen focus on prevention and early intervention across the range of factors. 

“The small set of focused actions – with clear milestones and lead agencies – will help ensure we can hold agencies to account for delivery.  

New Zealanders are urged to have the say on the draft proposal, to help inform the new Suicide Prevention Action Plan, which is expected to be released in 2025.

“I look forward to hearing from people affected by suicide and those working to support them. Your feedback is crucial to ensure we have a strong approach to preventing suicide over the next five years.”

The consultation closes at 5pm on November 1.

Suffering from depression or stress, or know someone who is? Where to get help:

Rural Support Trust: 0800 RURAL HELP

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757

Lifeline: 0800 543 354

Need To Talk? Call or text 1737

Samaritans: 0800 726 666

Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234

The government is committing $300,000 to a Women in Horticulture initiative aimed at supporting career progression.

Associate Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Women Nicola Grigg said the initiative is about empowering women in the horticulture industry with funding that will support networking and career progression.

“Women currently make up around half of the horticulture workforce, but only 20% of leadership roles, which is why initiatives like this are so important, Grigg said.

The Women in Horticulture initiative will deliver workshops and professional development sessions enabling women to upskill and reach their full potential.

“It also provides the sector an opportunity to positively influence industry attitudes by looking for ways we can encourage women to remain in and be recognised within horticulture.” 

Grigg said women are affected by the gender pay gap and disproportionate retirement earnings compared to men. 

“The government has committed $300,000 over three years to the Women in Horticulture initiative to making NZ a world leader for gender equity in this space. 

“Our government is focused on growing the economy and supporting our primary industries so that Kiwis can get ahead.

“As Minister for Women I want women to succeed, and this programme will support this objective.” 

Alliance Group has signed agreements in South Korea and Malaysia to lay the foundation for it to expand its premium red meat portfolio in both countries.

The Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) are with South Korean distributor Daesang Corporation and Fatric in Malaysia. 

Daesang, one of the leading producers of traditional Korean foods and a food innovation leader, will spearhead the promotion of Alliance’s award-winning Lumina Lamb and educate its customers and consumers about New Zealand lamb. 

Alliance’s MoU with partner Fatric will see the expansion of the company’s premium lamb and mutton programme in Malaysia. Alliance’s Pukeuri (Oamaru) processing plant is one of just five New Zealand lamb plants licensed to supply Malaysia. 

The two agreements were signed as part of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s official trade delegation to South Korea and Malaysia, which aims to boost trade ties with the countries and highlight New Zealand’s strength in producing high-quality, safe and nutritious food and beverages. 

During the visit, Alliance’s premium lamb was showcased to South Korean influencers and media. The tasting event at Korea House in Seoul aimed to educate guests about New Zealand food and how to enhance the eating experience through wine pairings. 

A full gala dinner followed the tasting event. 

Willie Wiese, chief executive of Alliance Group, said there are exciting opportunities for beef and lamb in South Korea. 

“Under the free trade agreement between the two countries, New Zealand sheepmeat exports to South Korea are tariff-free this year and beef will be tariff-free from 2029. 

“We have ambitions to build awareness of Lumina Lamb and our other premium programmes in South Korea so we can capture greater value for our farmer-shareholders.” 

Alliance is also exploring ways to strengthen its premium lamb and mutton programmes in Malaysia in conjunction with partner Fatric, Wiese said. 

“Alliance and Fatric have been working together for more than 30 years and we see great opportunities to enhance this collaboration and pursue further growth together.

“Malaysia is a key growth market for lamb and mutton as a fast-growing emerging economy with rapid urbanisation, increased economic growth and discerning consumers. We see significant potential to drive greater sheep meat consumption.  

“Alliance and Fatric will collaborate to drive innovation, with a specific focus on expanding premium products of New Zealand origin that are tailored to the Malaysian market.  

“This includes value-added food solutions, retail-ready products, and ready-to-eat propositions. Our goal is to develop innovative food solutions that cater to emerging channels and the diverse needs of the growing Malaysian consumer base.” 

Fatric has four distribution facilities covering key states across West Malaysia and also operates further processing capabilities in the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur.  

It has a well-established route to market across Malaysia, covering all channels including wholesale, modern and traditional retail and e-commerce channels.