Restoring wetlands in Northland

When Greg and Claire purchased the farm, almost all land was being grazed, including wet, fragile areas that were not suited to intensive use. Cattle regularly wandered into bush remnants and swampy ground, often becoming bogged and requiring time-consuming recovery. Wetland areas were seen as a liability, limiting efficiency and creating stress in day-to-day operations. Greg and Claire wanted to better align their farming with the natural strengths of the land, while improving efficiency and reducing unnecessary pressure on marginal areas.

Getting started

The turning point came from stepping back and asking what the land was naturally suited for. Rather than forcing production everywhere, they identified wet and fragile areas that could be taken out of grazing and restored. Early planning focused on working with existing natural features and seeking guidance and support where needed, particularly from the regional council. These are some of the actions Greg and Claire took:

• Fenced wetlands, swamp areas and bush remnants.
• Retired fragile, unproductive and hard-to-manage land.
• Planted native vegetation across wetland areas.
• Used native wetland and riparian species.
• Created/enhanced wetlands and natural filtration areas.
• Reduced grazing pressure in wet areas, improved stock management.

Greg and Claire have taken an incremental approach, improving areas over time rather than all at once. Support from funding partnerships has helped accelerate progress, while ongoing learning has shaped how they prioritise areas and manage restoration. The process has remained flexible and practical.

Improvements

• Wetlands now act as an asset rather than a liability.
• Reduced stock losses and time spent recovering animals.
• Less fertiliser wasted on low-return land.
• Strong collaboration with council and funding partners.

Challenges

• Cost of fencing, planting and ongoing maintenance.
• Time and labour required to establish and manage areas, as well as on-going pest control.
• Needing long-term commitment to see full benefits.
• Balancing investment with farm financial performance.

On-farm benefits

As the wetlands have developed, Greg and Claire have seen clear benefits across the farm system. “Native species like tuna, kōura and kōkopu have returned, and water quality has improved through natural filtration,” says Claire. “Less stock losses and time spent managing boggy areas have made the farm easier to run. We’re really proud of the changes we’ve mad – the waterways are healthier, we enjoy swimming in them, and we feel more connected to the farm.”

What’s next

Greg and Claire will continue building on their restoration work, extending planting and refining how wetlands function within the wider farm system. Ongoing improvements will focus on strengthening both biodiversity outcomes and farm efficiency over time.