TLC LAND FOR LIFE
TLC TACKING EROSION
SUMMARY
In August 2025, TLC was chosen as one of two community catchment groups in Hawke’s Bay to partner with Land for Life - a collaboration between Hawke's Bay Regional Council, (HBRC) Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and The Nature Conservancy Aotearoa New Zealand (TNC NZ).
Through the project, TLC will receive $75,000 to create and deliver a High Risk Erosion Action Plan targeting erosion-prone hill country across four key sub-catchments: Mangamahaki, Mangarara, Makara and Hāwea. By June 2026, TLC will move from planning to demonstration, establishing showcase sites.
PARTNERS
Land for Life, Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Ministry for Primary Industries, The Nature Conservancy Aotearoa, Environment Innovation Strategy Ltd
BACKGROUND
This work builds on TLC’s 2024 Big Picture project, which produced independent, science-based plans for all 17 Tukituki sub-catchments. See the plans here.
With those plans in hand - and strong landowner engagement - TLC is now developing a High-Risk Erosion Action Plan spanning four priority sub-catchments: Mangamahaki, Mangarara, Makara and Hāwea.
Identified in the Big Picture as erosion-prone, these areas will be assessed using a cross-catchment priority matrix to set a clear hierarchy of focus. The plan will outline practical, erosion-specific actions - such as targeted planting, riparian protection and ecological corridors - to help landowners stabilise hillsides, boost biodiversity, and improve water quality by reducing sediment.
TLC LAND FOR LIFE
PROJECT LAUNCH AND FOLLOW UP DISCUSSION
In October 2025, we launched the TLC Land for Life project at an event in Elsthorpe, bringing together farmers from the four priority erosion-prone sub-catchments.
Together we talked through erosion challenges on farm and shared ideas for where and how well-designed demonstration projects could have the most impact. Rachel Agnew (Land for Life) and Matt Highway (Environment Innovation Strategy Ltd, EIS) presented to the group and contributed to follow-up discussions as participants moved between workshop stations.
Matt worked closely with TLC on The Big Picture Project, which highlighted these priority erosion areas and helped shape this next phase of action.
Following the October session, Matt prepared a report outlining a practical suite of demonstration options. (See below for further detail.)
In February 2026, we reconvened with farmers for a further session led by Matt, with discussion centred on refining the proposed demonstration projects. It was a constructive and helpful conversation, focused on what will genuinely work in our landscapes and farming systems.
Thank you to the farmers who took time away from their properties to help shape this project. Your insight and experience are central to making it a success.
HIGH RISK EROSION ACTION PLAN - DEMONSTRATION OPTIONS
This report, prepared by EIS following the October 2025 workshop, includes:
-
An overview of the project aims and approach
-
Key insights and outcomes from the October workshop discussions
-
A practical suite of demonstration options, reflecting both proven on-farm practice and farmer-led innovation
-
Clear next steps for progressing the work
TLC LAND FOR LIFE
ON CENTRAL FM
In this audio clip from October 2025, Rachel Agnew from Land for Life discusses the TLC Land for Life project and launch on Central FM Radio .