Catchment Groups Are Leading the Way: Tukituki Land Care Sets a National Example

Central Hawke’s Bay’s farmer-led catchment collective, Tukituki Land Care (TLC), has recently completed a six-month project to produce independent, science-backed catchment plans for each of the 17 Tukituki sub-catchments - balancing environmental responsibility with practical, on-farm solutions.

“These plans reflect real-world challenges and give farmers practical tools to take action,” said TLC Chair Richard Hilson.

The foundation for this success was farmer engagement combined with scientific data. TLC met with farmers across all 17 Tukituki sub-catchments, gathering local insights to ensure the plans are both relevant and achievable. These discussions were supported by technical analysis from environmental consultancy Environment, Innovation and Strategy Ltd (EIS), providing data on erosion, soil types, land use capability, and water quality.

The draft catchment plans - each over 20 pages and featuring extensive mapping - are now available on the TLC website, giving farmers a valuable resource to guide their environmental efforts. “Farmers want to do the right thing, but they’re frustrated by complex regulations and not knowing where to start,” said TLC Board member Matt Wade. “This project gives them the confidence to take meaningful steps that benefit both their land and the wider catchment.”

More than 100 farmers gathered in Waipawa recently for The Big Muster, a landmark event marking the culmination of The Big Picture. “What we’ve got here is a powerful appetite for collective action,” said Hilson, acknowledging the strong farmer turnout and the growing desire to take action.

At the event, TLC also launched the TLC Farmer Toolbox - an online resource offering guidance on issues including soil conservation, planting strategies, and edge-of-field mitigations such as sediment traps and wetlands.

The impact of TLC’s approach is resonating beyond Central Hawke’s Bay. Following The Big Muster, Hon Andrew Hoggard - Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety, and Associate Minister for Agriculture and the Environment - expressed interest in the project and visited the catchment.

TLC took Minister Hoggard on a quick chopper flight down the Tukituki River, where he saw first-hand the serious challenges they are facing with willows, lupins, and gravel build-up in the riverbed. The flight provided a valuable opportunity to highlight the scale of the issues and the collaborative efforts underway to address them.

To keep the momentum of The Big Picture going, TLC is now rolling out THR3E, a programme encouraging farmers to complete three environmental actions over three years, using the catchment plans as a roadmap. TLC catchment coordinators will visit each sub-catchment over the coming months to support farmers in identifying and implementing their three priority actions.

The momentum generated by The Big Project is a testament to what can be achieved when farmers take the lead in environmental management. With practical resources like the TLC Farmer Toolbox and catchment-specific plans now available, Central Hawke’s Bay is setting a benchmark for how catchment groups can drive meaningful change.

For more information on the catchment plans, THR3E, or the Farmer Toolbox, visit www.tukitukilandcare.org.