Working together with mana whenua Maraetaha Incorporation, we have an ambitious plan to transition 1600ha of plantation pine forestry in our water supply catchments back to a thriving native ngahere. The programme aims to restore the cultural and environmental heritage of Waingake and Pamoa, restoring biodiversity and delivering natural infrastructure to ensure the protection and resilience of Tairawhiti’s water supply.

While we are growing a new native forest, we are also protecting 1100ha of primary podocarp forest home to threatened pekapeka-tou-roa (long-tailed bats), New Zealand falcon, North Island rifleman and endemic mistletoe species, and another 400ha of regenerating secondary forest and wetland around our water supply dams.

Learn more about the project here.