The three-year project, run by Northland Regional Council, aims to improve water quality through a combination of stock exclusion fencing, riparian planting and land management advice to eligible landowners. It is running across four of Whangārei’s key urban river catchments, Kirikiri, Lower Hatea, Raumanga and Waiarohia.

Councillor Jack Craw, who represents the council’s Whangārei Urban constituency, says the project began in earnest late last year and has already seen 7.4km of fencing across 10 properties, well in excess of the 4km first year target.

“Similarly, there has already been 1300 square metres of riparian planting completed, again well in excess of Year One’s 500 square metres target.”

Councillor Craw says the project has enjoyed good engagement from the community to date and is now seeking interest from new landowners who are keen to take part.

To that end the council would be writing to about 200 landowners in all four catchments (Kirikiri, Lower Hatea, Raumanga and Waiorohia) over the next month.

The council says fencing stock out of waterways and planting riparian margins helps improve water quality by reducing potentially harmful nutrients and bacteria, while also cutting sediment from erosion caused by stock damage to steam banks.

Councillor Craw says eligible landowners qualify for an 80 percent subsidy for the work required, provided they pay the remaining 20% upfront.

“We’re currently scoping the next tranche of potentially suitable properties in all four catchments and expect to start writing to eligible landowners shortly.”

The project received over $500,000 in Jobs for Nature funding from Ministry for the Environment.

Image: From left, regional councillor Jack Craw, Chance Campbell (Northland Vegetation Control) fencing contractor Clement Lafon (RC Ag-Venture Ltd) and project lead Andy McCall with a Maunu property fenced and planted as part of the Whangārei Urban Awa programme.