MAHARAKEKE & PŌRANGAHAU
CATCHMENTS
Primary township Takapau
Area 15,219ha (combined)
Land use Land use in both catchments is similar, with pasture making up the majority (92 percent), arable land accounting for five percent in Pōrangahau and four percent in Maharakeke, and exotic forest covering less than four percent in total.
CATCHMENT
CONTACTS
Committee Justin King, Matt Wade, Richard Hilson, Karen Middleburgh, Dan Ormond, Sarah Von Dadelszen, Ross McCormick, Claire McCormick, Hamish Galloway.
Catchment co-ordinator Kahlia Fryer
Email tukitukicoordinator@gmail.com
Phone 0273426071
ABOUT OUR CATCHMENT
The Maharakeke and Pōrangahau catchments cover a combined area of 15,219ha and face significant water quality challenges, particularly elevated levels of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus. As a result, farmers must take steps to reduce their impact on water quality while also meeting regulatory requirements under HBRC’s Tukituki Plan Change.
In 2020, farmers and landowners in these catchments came together to form the Watch Our Water – Maharakeke and Pōrangahau (WOWMAP) Catchment Group to enhance the health of local land and waterways.
The group has undertaken various initiatives, including a large planting project and a stream water testing programme. Additionally, they partnered with Massey University to develop solutions for reducing contaminant runoff from agricultural land. This collaboration led to the construction of two edge-of-field mitigation structures on local farms - the first of their kind in Hawke’s Bay.
THE BIG PICTURE
The Big Picture
As part of The Big Picture project, TLC has developed independent, science-backed catchment plans for each of the 17 sub-catchments of the Tukituki River. These farmer-led plans address key environmental challenges specific to each area while identifying practical, affordable solutions. These plans do not impose rules or regulations but they give farmers and catchment groups a roadmap for future planning to improve water quality, boost farm productivity, and open the door to future funding opportunities.
TLC partnered with environmental planning consultancy Environment, Innovation and Strategy Ltd (EIS), who collected data specific to each sub-catchment, including erosion maps, flow path models, land use capability, soil types, and water monitoring information. Alongside the scientific data, in December 2024, TLC hosted workshops for farmers and growers in each sub-catchment to make sure the solutions aligned with the realities of farming and growing in each sub-catchment.
Maharakeke and Pōrangahau Draft Sub-Catchment Plan: Summary
Maharakeke and Pōrangahau Draft Sub-Catchment Plan: Full Report
Maharakeke Catchment Maps
Pōrangahau Catchment Maps
TLC FARMER TOOLBOX
Tools for the Maharakeke and Pōrangahau Catchment
As part of The Big Picture, TLC has developed the TLC Farmer Toolbox, designed to support landowners in making informed decisions and enable them to implement changes with confidence, ensuring that time and money are invested wisely.
The TLC Toolbox includes the following:
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TLC’s On-Farm Action Planning Tool - prioritise on-farm environmental actions based on their cost-effectiveness and impact.
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TLC’s Plant Selection Tool - choose the right plants for on-farm environmental projects by matching your planting zone and purpose with suitable species.
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TLC’s Surface Erosion Tool - determine the most erosion-prone areas on your farm to identify priority sites for effective soil conservation measures.
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TLC’s Water Runoff Mapping Tool - identify sites for on-farm edge-of-field mitigations such as sediment traps, constructed wetlands and detention bunds.
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TLC’s Riparian Mapping Tool - better understand riparian condition and vegetation class along waterways to prioritise where riparian management should occur.
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TLC’s ETS Guide- download TLC’s ETS Guide for key information on the Emissions Trading Scheme, including its purpose, benefits, eligibility, enrolment process, and potential costs and returns.
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TLC’s Willow Management Guide - download TLC’s Invasive Willow Management Guide for insights on willows in the Tukituki, control strategies and riparian restoration.
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TLC’s List Of Advisors - connect with local advisors for tailored advice and potential funding opportunities.
