Bio Diversity Projects

Work has started on a Bio Diversity programme that will capitalize on the work carried out on Te Kuri by John Griffin. Te Kopua, the farm we recently purchased, will be used to develop a pest free enclosure in the area closest to the sea. This part of the farm has eroded significantly and has been pole planted for stabilisation. In June 2014 we will be planting 30,000 native ngaio and manuka to create an ideal and protected habitat.  We have photos of the pole planting posted on Facebook that you can view here.

Te Wherowhero lagoon will continue to be a focus for extensive planting of native coastal shrubs and trees to enhance its value as a bird sanctuary. Plans to work with the Gisborne District Council to turn the Waingake bush area into a pest free area is also in the early stages of development. The idea of a bio region and the linking of the native bush and private reserves are also being discussed with the Department of Conservation.

 

 Ngai Tamanuhiri land management zones.

Ngai Tamanuhiri Land management zones

 

 

Zone Features – opportunity
1: Productive Flats
  • Most productive land – class 1-3
  • Potential expansion of cropping and horticulture
  • Identify and focus on best soils
  • Key economic resource for Ngai Tamanuhiri
2: Key waterways
  • High importance – biodiversity and cultural (tuna, whitebait etc)
  • Improve land use to reduce sediment
  • Restoration – riparian planting etc
3: Coastal hills
  • High cultural value – focus of historic settlement and activity
  • Significant biodiversity values – whero whero lagoon, scrub and bush remnants, existing restoration. High value fishery – kaimoana
  • Focus on ecological restoration integrated with tourism. Integrated farming on some areas.
4: Hill country integration
  • Relatively stable hill country – mainly class 6
  • Productive hill country farming
  • Integrate farming with tree planting / retirement of poor areas, making a resilient and profitable landscape
5: Catchment protection
  • Steeper and more erosion prone class 7 land
  • Forestry, native forest and scrub
  • Focus on forestry and retirement / restoration to provide habitat and linkages for flora and fauna, and protect downstream water quality
6: Resource support
  • Includes higher altitude and lower productivity areas draining away from Ngai Tamanuhiri
  • Provide ongoing income from forestry resource and develop ecological linkages where practical

 

Progress on the Te Kopua biodiversity project can be viewed in its’ Image gallery