Farming for biodiversity and community in Kaipara harbour

The Wright's farm sits within one of New Zealand’s largest harbour catchments, where waterways and land use directly influence coastal health. Over time, sedimentation, habitat loss and declining water quality became visible across the Kaipara.

Seeing changes in the environment prompted a shift in thinking about how farming could work alongside restoration.

Earle is the chair of the Tapora Land and Coast Care Group, which is fencing sensitive estuary margins, creating wetlands and building public walkways. The work reflects a long-term commitment to biodiversity, kaitiakitanga and collective action.

For Earle, farming has always been about more than production. It’s about people, whenua and long-term outcomes. He wanted to show that productive farming could support environmental health and help restore landscapes for future generations.

The para fern (king fern) was once so plentiful here that the harbour takes its name from it — Kai-para, meaning "food of the para," after the fern's prized edible root. Restoring para is a way of restoring that identity. Through the Tipu Rākau nursery, taonga species like para are being propagated once again, with a plan to reintroduce them across the catchment over time.

Getting started

Early change focused on linking farm management with the health of the wider catchment. Earle worked with local farmers, iwi, councils and community groups to take a “paddock to harbour” approach. This included sharing knowledge across groups and building momentum through the Tapora Land and Coast Care Group. These are some of the actions they took:

• Fenced waterways and sensitive areas.
• Retired wetlands and low-producing land acting as sediment and nutrient filters.
• Planted native species across riparian margins and restoration areas.
• Used native and taonga species including para.
• Created and enhanced wetlands, riparian areas and habitat for native fish and birdlife.
• Adjusted farm layout to improve stock movement and protect waterways.

The focus isn’t just on planting, but on restoring taonga species and habitats that hold cultural and ecological value. As understanding grew, the focus expanded beyond the farm gate to whole-of-catchment thinking. Restoration became more integrated with community efforts, including planting days, nursery development and predator control. For Earle, this work reflects kaitiakitanga — caring for the land and water so it can support future generations. The work also evolved to combine mātauranga Māori with science. Some restoration areas also hold cultural and spiritual significance, strengthening the importance of protecting and restoring them.

What's working well

• Strong collaboration between farmers, iwi and community groups.
• Visible improvements in waterways and biodiversity.
• Increased engagement through schools and volunteers.
• Practical actions that support both farm performance and environmental outcomes.

The Wrights have continued to run a productive dairy system while making space for restoration, showing that environmental work needs to sit alongside a viable farm business.

Challenges

• Ongoing costs of planting, fencing and maintenance.
• Weed and pest control across large areas.
• Sustaining volunteer effort over time.
• Balancing farm business pressures with long-term environmental investment.

Benefits

Early benefits are being seen across the environment, farm system and wider community. Water quality has improved, with clearer water and better habitat supporting the return of native fish, including whitebait, along with increased birdlife across restored areas. At the same time, managing wetlands and low-producing areas more intentionally has improved farm resilience, helping reduce sediment loss and making better use of parts of the farm that were previously difficult to manage.

The work has also strengthened people connections, building pride in the farm and bringing the community together, with schools and younger generations involved and learning through hands-on restoration. The work has brought generations together, with younger people learning alongside older community members, helping pass knowledge on.

What’s next

The focus continues to be on scaling up restoration across the catchment. This includes expanding planting programmes, strengthening community involvement and supporting long-term protection of sensitive areas. The aim is ongoing improvement, building on what’s working and keeping momentum for future generations.