Talking on Water 6: Investing in streambanks

Thousands of kilometres of streambanks and wetlands are being fenced and planted to protect and enhance Taranaki's waterways.

Fencing streambanks keeps stock out of waterways and vegetation helps to trap and filter run-off from pasture. Planting provides shading, food and shelter for wildlife and encourages biodiversity in rivers and streams. All of these aspects generally support water quality.

It’s a voluntary effort by farmers on the ring plain and coastal terraces, supported by the Taranaki Regional Council. It’s on course for completion around the end of the decade.

This is a world-leading water management project right here in our region.

Transforming Taranaki

We have as much streambank on the ring plain in Taranaki as there is coastline for the whole of New Zealand

For more than 20 years the Taranaki Regional Council has worked with landowners to develop riparian management plans for individual properties. The free plans detail recommendations for fencing and planting the property’s waterways, and set targets for implementation.

The implementation of the farm plans has accelerated dramatically in the past 10 years. It’s the largest environmental enhancement programme in NZ, and it’s being done by our farming communities without subsidy or compulsion.

The Council contracts nurseries to supply quality native plants to farmers at cost. The Council can also arrange planting contractors to undertake the work if required.

As of June 2016:

• 12,209 km (84.4%) of the streambank on the ring plain is protected by fencing, with 4,325 km fenced since the programme began.
• 7,691 km (69.5%) of streambank is protected with riparian vegetation, with 2,387 km of stream bank planted out since the programme began.
• 99.5% of the dairy farms in Taranaki have riparian plans. The Council has prepared close to 2,500 plans since 1992.
• More than 4 million plants have already been placed. By the time the programme is complete, this will be 6 million.