Dear landowner, here's your latest Horizons Land Team Update.
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Here's the latest in the Land Management space at Horizons.
Welcome back to our first Land Team Update newsletter for 2026.
In this edition:
- SLUI grant rates increase
- Central Districts Field Days
- Nursery update
- Poplar pruning guide
- Ballance Farm Environment Awards finalists
We've increased SLUI grant rates
From 1 March 2026 until 30 June 2027, grant rates and caps for most* SLUI works have increased by an additional 20%.
Note this is not retroactive, and only applies to works approved on or after 1 March 2026 to 30 June 2027.
*Excludes space planted poplar/willow works (including planting and maintenance).
Come see us at Field Days
We're not sure about you, but we can't wait for Central Districts Field Days!
Come have a chat with us from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 March at Manfeild Raceway - we'll be at site F14. Our LMAs will be there to yarn about all things land, particularly our increased SLUI grant rates. You can also enter the draw to win some pruning loppers!
Our LMAs will be at the Horizons stall at the following times:
Thursday 19th: 10am to 2pm
Friday 20th: 9am to 2pm
Saturday 21st: 9am to 2pm
If you miss us, the rest of the Horizons team will be happy to take your details for an LMA to follow up with you after Field Days.
Hope to see you there!
Get your pole order in now
We’ve recently installed an irrigation system at our Woodville nursery, meaning we now have a more reliable supply of poles.
If you’re keen to take advantage, make sure you get your pole orders in before the start of May.
Get in touch with your LMA or give us a call on 0508 800 800.
Poplar pruning
Now is a great time to form prune your poplars that are 2-3 years old or older.
Form pruning has many advantages.
- Single stemmed trees will have greater longevity
- Reduces shading at the base of the tree
- Lifts the tree foliage, which increases directional shading (shade will move with the sun), resulting in less stock camping
- Creates tall narrow trees that are more wind tolerant
- Avoids the tree splitting when branches grow against each other
- Gives you the option to produce a millable logs
Did you know that pruning in the late summer means the leaves can be used as drought fodder? The feed value for willow leaves is 65-75% dry matter digestibility, which is about the same as lucerne hay.
Check out some demonstrations of form pruning and high pruning below.
Ballance Farm Environment Awards 2026 Finalists
Finalists for the 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards have been announced, with the awards ceremony taking place this Thursday, 19 March.
We look forward to finding out the results, including the Horizons award, and celebrating success in the sector. Perhaps we'll see you there!
Click/tap the button below to read more about each of the finalists.
Get in touch
Get in touch to talk to us about fencing of wetlands, bush, riparian areas in hill country or afforestation or planting of poplar poles. We can advise you on our different criteria and funding levels. We can also advise you on land management issues.
Find your local LMA on the map, or email slui@horizons.govt.nz.
Thanks for reading.
Got feedback? Flick us an email at communications@horizons.govt.nz.
