TLC TACKLING EROSION - LAND FOR LIFE PROJECT
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.
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 will now develop 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
At the TLC Land for Life Project Launch on 14th October 2025, TLC is inviting local farmers to hear what’s planned, share on-farm erosion experiences, and lodge expressions of interest to include your land in the project.
Speakers include Matt Highway (Environment, Innovation & Strategy), alongside representatives from TLC and HBRC.
All welcome - please register for catering.
