Welcome to our latest Across the Region. After a wet and cold couple of months, this quarter we’d like to focus on land management and how important using it sustainably is.  

Over half of our Region’s land is classified as hill country and, in an economy defined by agriculture, it is vital that this land stays on the hills and out of our rivers. Horizons' land management work focuses on providing resilience to storm events, reducing erosion, protecting soil and water health, and encouraging sustainable use of our land resources. This edition tells you about our Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) and how land management contributes to making this Region a great place to live, work and play. Trends for the past decade show that both regulatory, and non regulatory efforts such as SLUI, have contributed to our Region’s water quality trends improving across all catchments. This includes 58 per cent of the 36 monitored sites improved for total oxidised nitrogen and none in decline.

Another aspect of land management is ensuring that nutrient leaching levels are kept at a level where they are not having a detrimental environmental impact on our waterways. The One Plan is a policy document that outlines nutrient leaching limits for certain catchments. While the implementation of this document has recently been questioned, Horizons is committed to finding a way forward and will be undertaking informative community meetings throughout the Region to discuss the next steps. If you have a group that would like to be visited by our staff please get in touch with your local councillor whose details are inside.

Bruce Gordon, Chairman

HORIZONS' ROLE IN LAND MANAGEMENT

The February 2004 storm highlighted just how susceptible the Horizons Region is to erosion. For our farming community it demonstrated the need for hill country farms to be resilient to storm events. For downstream communities it showed the effects soil erosion can have on water quality and infrastructure. As a result of the storm over 30,000 hectares were classified as severely affected by erosion, resulting in 200 million tonnes of soil being lost to downstream streams and rivers.   

Following this event, Horizons, and the Region as whole, recognised efforts against accelerated erosion needed to be increased from what was already underway. In 2006 the Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) was born thanks to funding provided by central government. SLUI uses a variety of tools, but the programme is based around the development of Whole Farm Plans with individual farmers. These plans are voluntary and once developed are followed up with a works and incentive programme aimed at reducing erosion. Everyone in the Horizons Region benefits from SLUI either through increased flood protection, better water quality, or protection of hill country and native habitats. For this reason all ratepayers pay a Uniform Annual Charge to fund the programme. Central government continues to contribute via the Ministry for Primary Industries.

The programme has gone from strength to strength and now has over 650 farmers signed up and 30,000 hectares of erosion control works. Independent research completed at the end of 2015 provided some encouraging results. The Landcare report suggests works completed as at June 2015 had improved our resilience to erosion by 10.6 per cent, which translates to a reduced sediment loss of 1.4 Million tonnes. This is the equivalent of over 9,500 olympic swimming pools of dirt out of our rivers. As these works mature over the next 20 years this resilience is forecast to increase to 27-30 per cent.

Beyond the SLUI programme land management activites Horizons undertake include the Whanganui Catchment Strategy, advising on land use and meeting with industry bodies to discuss best practice. Other areas of core business such as plant pest management, consenting for land use, planting and fencing, and biodiversity also all feed into sustainable land management.

MAKING OUR REGION A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE...

Hill country is part of our regional identity, however many of our residents may not know the extent of the role it plays in our environmental and economic prosperity. Identifying the best use and management of this land contributes to food production and wood for construction on a national level, while regionally reducing sediment in our rivers to the benefit of aquatic life and those that live downstream.   

Sheep, beef and deer farming is undertaken on around 1.2 million hectares, which represents 55 per cent of our Region. Of these farms, 77 per cent of them are located in our hill country. The sheep, beef and related sectors account for 14 per cent of the jobs in our Region which is much larger than the national average of 4 per cent. On a national scale, the Region has the largest sheep and beef quantity in the country.

Our Region has around 130,000 hectares of planted production forest, and 60 per cent of this is located in the Ruapehu and Whanganui districts. These forests are on average 18 years old and have a standing volume of 24 million tonnes. Over the past 10 years SLUI has contributed to planting 13.4 million trees, creating around 12,000 hectares of new forestry in the Region.

Deciding on what use land is best suited for, such as stock or forestry, makes a big difference when it comes to erosion control. Erosion control works result in soil staying on the hills, rather than in waterways, and improves the habitat for aquatic life as sediment covers rocks and cobbles in river and stream beds resulting in a loss of places for ecosystems to thrive. There will also be less sediment build up on banks, berms and river beds. This means rivers have more capacity during a flood and flood protection schemes will be more effective for longer. 

...WORK...

There is no doubt that our Region’s hill country supports countless livelihoods through the likes of sheep and beef, forestry and Mānuka production. Horizons’ Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) helps farmers by providing advice and support to benefit the environment, production rates and the Region as a whole. Let's take a look at a few examples of this across the Region.

RUAPEHU

Grant and Sandra McMillan of Ongarue have been part of the SLUI family since 2013. Owners of a 365 hectare hill country sheep and beef farm, the McMillians have always sought best practice on farm in both production and caring for the environment.

Horizons land management advisor Weston Brown says prior to coming on board with SLUI the McMillans were looking at what the dairy industry was going through and where the public’s environmental expectations where heading.

“They were aware that this focus could turn to sheep and beef, or any area of farming, as well. So wanting to make sure they were being proactive, they engaged with Horizons to be as sustainable as possible,” he says.

As a result the McMillans got in touch with Horizons and had a Whole Farm Plan undertaken. These plans are provided free of charge, map the farm and identify opportunities to take action. As a result of the fram planning process the McMillans have chosen to fence 2.94 kilometres of stream and plant 1,705 natives, and 590 poplar and willow poles. These works have been subsidised by Horizons under the SLUI programme.

Grant McMillan says the Whole Farm Plan provided the opportunity to have greater engagement with Horizons and its experts.

“The plan has given us an enormous amount of information about our farm to help us operate smarter and more sustainably in today’s environment. It’s helped to give us that longer term vision.

“We believe we should be farming in a way that any member of the public can turn up unexpectedly and look at what we are doing and we can be proud of what we have to show them,” he says.

Sandra McMillan says while a lot of time and resources have gone into undertaking sustainable practices on the farm, it’s worth it.

“Not only are their environmental benefits, there’s also aesthetic appeal to see all the fenced and planted riparian areas. It feels good to see your hard work performing.”

The McMillans are constantly looking for further ways to improve their practices and their efforts were recognised by the Ballance Farm Environmental Award judges with a runner up placing in 2016. They look forward to keeping Horizons engaged in their farm.

“We have found that Horizons staff always have plenty of time for us and are happy to help us with our plans. We hope to continue this relationship in the future as Horizons has the information and expertise to help us make better decisions.”

Above: Soil mapping

WHANGANUI

Dougal and Di McIntosh of Ratamarumaru Farm in Brunswick are one of the original properties to join the SLUI family in 2006. With 1,124 hectares of summer-moist hill country, located in the upper reaches of the Kai Iwi catchment, the McIntosh property rises from 180 to 420 metres above sea level.

Horizons land management programme coordinator Myles Guy says the McIntosh’s property received over 700 millimetres of rain during a storm in 2006 which initiated massive erosion on their farm.

“Following the event Dougal contacted Horizons to seek advice. That led to having a Whole Farm Plan being produced in 2007 highlighting the most at risk areas and advising them to plant large areas of the farm in trees. This led to a joint venture forestry agreement between the McIntosh’s and Horizons, the first under the SLUI programme. Dougal also joined the original steering committee for SLUI and is still a member of the SLUI advisory group today.”

Whole Farm Plans are provided free of charge, map the farm and identify opportunities where action could be taken. For the McIntosh property this has translated into 15 hectares of poplar pole planting, 176 hectares of forestry and 62 hectares of other planting. These works have been subsidised by Horizons under the SLUI programme.

Dougal says SLUI has helped them mitigate a huge erosion risk on their farm and the most at risk areas have been planted out over the last 10 years.

“A big rainfall recently led to very little erosion on the farm which is great. Any remaining erosion issues can be treated with pole planting and we’ll look to plant approximately 75 poplar poles each year.”

Dougal says SLUI is critical to mitigating the vulnerability of hill country and Horizons has always been helpful.

“It would be very difficult to manage erosion without the help of SLUI so we are fortunate that Horizons has been proactive. I enjoy working with the council to find solutions and have found the SLUI process to be an encouraging and collaborative.

Above: Plantings to minimise erosion

RANGITIKEI/MANAWATU

Chalky and Lesley Leary from Hunterville have been part of the SLUI family since 2008. Their property is 734 hectares and is a sheep and beef breeding and finishing farm.The property has been leased to Robbie Deans for the last 12 years but Chalky is still actively planting trees for erosion control.

Horizons land management advisor George Powell says the February 2004 storm event triggered a change of thinking for the Learys.

“With predictions of more frequent and severe storm events associated with climate change highlighting the farms susceptibility to erosion the Learys recognised something needed to be done,” he says.

As a result they got in touch with Horizons and had a Whole Farm Plan undertaken. These plans are provided free of charge, map the land and identify where action could be taken. For the Learys this has translated into 30 hectares of pines, over 1,000 poplar and willow poles and an area of native bush retirement.  These works were encouraged with grant assistance from Horizons under the SLUI programme and Ministry of Primary Industries’ Afforestation Grant Scheme.

Chalky has been planting poplars since 2008 and forestry blocks for erosion control for the last 30 years.

“We were fortunate to receive assistance to plant our forestry blocks thanks to central government’s forestry grants. These blocks not only help soil stay on the hills but also reduce gorse growth and provide shade for animals in summer.

“We have a number of forestry blocks scattered around the farm now and they are of an age where there is fairly regular harvesting. New blocks are also being established.”

Chalky says both poplars and pines require management but the time invested is worthwhile.

“We have ongoing plans for further planting of both poplars and pines in selected sites. We’d also like to build fences on ridgelines to ensure they last. The SLUI programme has been very helpful for identifying what works are required where.”

Above: Erosion damage following 2004 storm

PALMERSTON NORTH 

Shane Carroll and Nicola Shadbolt of Westview Farm have been members of the SLUI family since 2013. Their property consists of 1,396 hectares of hill country rising from the Pohangina Valley Road up to the bush line of the Ruahine Forest Park.

Land management advisor Kevin Rooke says Shane and Nicola have taken on board the importance of sustainable land management, erosion control, water quality, and bush preservation.

“After receiving a Whole Farm Plan that identified the best use of land and where action could be taken to stop erosion, they have undertaken a range of activities to help deal with the issue.”

The Whole Farm Plans are provided free of charge and works can be subsidised by Horizons under the SLUI programme. Works completed so far include planting several hundred poplar and willow poles each winter for erosion control and changing land use.

“Shane and Nicola have retired areas of more severe erosion and established 65 hectares of forestry. They’ve also fenced off gullies, gorges and waterways to exclude stock from damaging native vegetation and help improve water quality,” says Mr Rooke.

Shane says having a Whole Farm Plan has given him a valuable resource for improving practices on farm.

“The plan provides an inventory of soil types, recognises environmental challenges, and suggests a programme of works to address these. Between that and working with Horizons staff we have been able to achieve works annually which is great.”

Above: Pole planting 

TARARUA

Bruce, Sue, Doug and Jo Mckenzie of Pati Tapu Station have been members of the SLUI family since 2009. Their 2,550 hectare property is home to over 10,000 sheep, 400 beef cows and 300 beehives.

Land management advisor Grant McLaren says the Mckenzies faced a number of challenges on their farm including weed control, erosion and flooding.

“While the Mckenzies had undertaken considerable work in the early 2000s to address these issues, once they heard about SLUI and its Whole Farm Plans, they recognised this could be a way of being even more proactive.”

Whole Farm Plans are provided free of charge, map the land and identify where action could be taken. For the Mckenzie property this has translated into fencing off waterways and bush blocks, and planting poplar and willow poles for erosion control. These works have been subsidised by Horizons under the SLUI programme.

Doug says the soil and land type mapping provided by his Whole Farm Plan has helped gain a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the property.

“It’s been really helpful for making management decisions, judging fertiliser application, and identifying where to graze cattle and put crops in,” he says.

“It also highlighted the benefits of retiring land for Mānuka. Not only has changing some land to Mānuka been beneficial environmentally, it’s also yielding more than it did when it provided for sheep.”

Doug says he sees the SLUI programme as a partnership that allows projects to be completed at a faster rate.

“Thanks to pole planting we now see greater land stability and have had minimal ground movement of those areas this winter. Creek and bush retirement helps minimise soil damage in fragile areas and we’d like to continue fencing until all bush areas are excluded from stock.

“Working with Horizons’ SLUI staff has definitely been worthwhile. It allows for different options and proposals to be discussed and they are always willing to help.”

Above: Short video about Pati Tapu Station

HOROWHENUA

Managing sediment loss on hill country is relatively well known. However, the same practice is required on our flatter land, especially in areas that include intensive cropping operations. This case study looks at a three year project to reduce sediment and nutrient loss into the Arawhata Stream and Lake Horowhenua that is now nearing its final stages.

The initiative is one of eight projects under the Fresh Start for Lake Horowhenua Fresh Water Clean-up Fund programme and has been a collaboratiove effort by LandWISE, Horizons Regional Council, the Tararua Vegetable Growers’ Association and local farmers, with support from the Ministry for the Environment. The purpose was to create integrated drainage and sediment control plans for up to 500 hectares of cropping farms.

“There were real issues in the Arawhata Stream catchment during severe storm events with ponding and the loss of cropping farm soil into drains, and eventually to Lake Horowhenua,” says project manager Dan Bloomer of LandWISE.

“The drainage system was not built to contain water run-off, and instead was a legacy of an historic stock drinking water race system.”

The first step in the project was to map all of the farms within the area and identify where water was going to pond and where flows would be in heavy rain. Then solutions could be identified. In some cases crops were planted across, rather than down slopes which led to erosion in heavy rain. The solution was planting rows down the slopes, resulting in less ponding and sediment loss.

On some properties soil build up was also occurring at the end of each row, again leading to ponding and loss of crops and soil. Lowering headlands to allow furrows to drain, and planting grasses to keep sediment from drains, eased this considerably. 

“Dan and his team listened to property owners and investigated the issues to come up with some relatively simple but incredibly effective solutions,” says Dr Jon Roygard, Horizons group manager natural resources and partnerships.

“Property owners are already seeing positive results on their farms from a production perspective and the works are also contributing to broader restoration efforts for Lake Horowhenua as part of the Lake Horowhenua Accord.”

The project has seen individual farm plans for each property created and the uptake from farmers has been incredibly positive.

“Over the past few years we have built a really strong relationship with farmers and are working together to solve these issues,” says Dan.

“In some cases farmers aren’t even waiting for our formal reports, they are getting on and putting together the solutions themselves, with great results.”

Above: Wide grassed headlands

...AND PLAY

We often talk about land management being necessary to protect our hill country for environmental and economic reasons however we don’t always discuss the recreational benefits. For example, less sediment in our rivers means they are more suitable for swimming and fishing. There are other benefits too - one SLUI farmer in the Ruapehu district has retired land to develop mountain bike tracks for everyone to enjoy.

Brent Greig of Ruatiti Station has a 5,000 hectare sheep and beef farm. The property has been part of the SLUI programme since 2010 and has undertaken a number of works since then.

Land management advisor Weston Brown says 2,000 hectares of the property is native bush and shares a lot of unfenced boundary line with DoC land.

“One of the biggest challenges was that the Station was never fenced properly. This made keeping stock and wild animals out of areas that they wanted to protect very difficult.”

SLUI funding which has subsided fencing is helping to solve this problem. Taking it a step further Brent decided to not only fence off areas, but also retire land so that their property could become part of the Mangapurua Cycleway.   

Station manager Raymond Lacy says they have other work they’d like to do under SLUI but the first priority is retiring the corridor between the main creek on their property and the Mangapurua Cycleway from the farm.

“We’d also like to encourage community involvement in the project by getting the local school to help plant out the retired areas once they’re completed. Following that we hope to establish trap lines for pest control in the retired areas.”

Above: Fencing on Ruatiti Station

ALIGNING WITH TANGATA WHENUA VALUES

The SLUI programme has over 650 members. Each property is a different size and there are a range of challenges depending on location, soil type and availability of resources. Approximately 10 per cent of the SLUI family is made up of incorporated businesses that are run by local iwi as SLUI’s principles align closely with those of tangata whenua. Of these, the Te Uranga B2 Incorporation, was one of the first to come on board when Whole Farm Plans were introduced.

Located on the Ngakonui Ongarue Road, north east of Taumarunui, the Te Uranga property totals approximately 2,369 hectares split into dairy, sheep and beef, and forestry units. Horizons land management advisor Sarah Nicholson says challenges the property faced initially included identifying how to best use the land, containing the environmental footprint, and ensuring what the Incorporation did had a long term benefit.

“The Whole Farm Plan identified how to best use developed and undeveloped areas and resulted in the Incorporation diversifying into other investment areas such as honey and Mānuka. It also identified how to effectively manage environmental risks within the enterprise and the best approach to ensuring there was a focus on water quality.”

Sarah says the Incorporation has adopted a culture of environmental stewardship and best practice that has involved the community and other organisations.

“The Incorporation also has an inter-generational review focus. A past member of their management committee championed the Whole Farm Plan for decades and after retiring has left a legacy to be carried on.”

New member Donna Tuwhangai has risen to this challenge and is planning to adopt monitoring programmes, further riparian works, and create more ecosystems.

“Working in partnership with Horizons provides identification of environmental issues and recommendations of tailored best practice which we need for the journey ahead.  The best part of the relationship is sharing the same vision for the enterprise and working with like-minded and passionate people,” she says.

WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION

To learn more about Horizons’ role in land management please visit our website www.horizons.govt.nz and visit the Land page.

COUNCIL MEETINGS

October 2017

• Environment Committee, 10 October, 9am
• Catchment Operations Committee, 10 October, following Environment Committee
• Strategy and Policy Committee, 11 October, 10am
• Passenger Transport Committee, 17 October, 10am
• Regional Council, 25 October, 10am

November 2017

• Strategy and Policy Committee, 14 November, 10am
• Regional Council, 28 November, 10am
• Audit, Risk and Investment Committee, 28 November, following Regional Council