Kia ora,
Welcome to our spring newsletter. In this edition, we’ve got plenty of exciting updates to share, from our Good Farm Planning Hub, which is helping farmers stay ahead of regulatory challenges, to the latest on the Whakaora Te Taranaki – Wai Restoration project. You’ll also find information on our energy-saving campaign, new farm science workshops, and details about the upcoming Sustainable Farms Trail.
There’s a lot happening, and we’re grateful to be part of a community so committed to a sustainable and thriving Taranaki.
Happy reading!
Paul Turner, TCC Project Manager
Good Farm Planning Hub: Project Update
The Good Farm Project continues to make great strides in supporting Taranaki farmers with integrated farm planning resources. At the heart of the project is the Good Farm website (www.goodfarm.nz), serving as an ever-growing hub for farmers to access tools and information to help them navigate regulatory challenges and boost sustainability.
Developed by Taranaki Catchment Communities with funding from MPI’s Integrated Farm Planning Accelerator Fund, the hub provides a wide range of planning resources, workshops, and expert-led discussions, enabling you to create custom plans that meet industry and government standards.
We’ve been busy and have held three regional webinars on updates on freshwater policy changes and delivered a Rural Professional workshop on 6 August, to help rural professionals with tools to assist farmers in understanding and meeting regulations. We’ve also just released the Taranaki-Specific Farm Planning resource, which provides farmers with a concise summary of freshwater farm plan requirements and timeframes. This includes the Good Farm Guide to Navigating Regulations that simplifies key legislation, breaking it down into easy-to-understand language. Both hardcopy and digital versions are available.
There are several workshops in development for the coming months, including IFP workshops focused on soil, water management, and greenhouse gas reduction. These aim to build farmers’ capacity to integrate environmental health with farm productivity.
Planning is also underway to develop real-world case studies showcasing how integrated farm planning (IFP) benefits Taranaki farms. Open days are scheduled with the Taranaki Dairy Trust Farm. Keep an eye on our website and social media for some very useful sessions that are coming up soon.
Visit www.goodfarm.nz or follow our updates on Facebook and through your catchment social media pages and coordinators. We're excited to see the positive impact this initiative will have on the Taranaki farming community.
Whakaora Te Taranaki:
Wai Restoration to Health Project Update
The Whakaora Te Taranaki – Wai Restoration to Health Project is an initiative led by TCC, aiming to educate, and engage with, farmers and growers to incorporate sustainable practices that protect water quality and support freshwater ecosystems. In the last few months there are some really exciting activities that have taken place:
LiDAR Mapping: TCC has shared over 3000 LiDAR maps with farmers across Taranaki, providing critical insights for freshwater farm planning and identifying key source areas. To date, TCC has produced 488 Hill Country Farm Maps and 2812 Riparian Farm Maps.
Drains are Streams Project: Initial collaboration between TCC and Massey University has laid the groundwork for an innovative study on managing farm drains, focusing on biodiversity, habitat restoration, and water quality improvements. A detailed feasibility study is underway, exploring practical interventions to restore aquatic ecosystems while maintaining drainage functions. These interventions/methods aim to create habitats for species such as eels and native fish, while also improving waterway health.
Wai Connect Fish Passage Project: TCC has partnered with local iwi and NIWA for a fish passage project, aimed at enhancing aquatic biodiversity in rural farming areas. This 12-month project includes constructing a model fish passage system on a volunteer's property to demonstrate practical solutions for rural farmers. Educational workshops are planned to disseminate learnings.
Makuri Catchment Wetland Restoration Project: Significant progress has been made in restoring the Huiroa Domain wetland, including community-led efforts to clear and fence the wetland. A successful planting event saw 520 native plants installed, sourced from local seeds, demonstrating strong community engagement.
Community-Based Monitoring (CBM): TCC is working with Cawthron Institute to strengthen the role of community-collected water quality data in regional and national monitoring efforts. TCC currently manages 47 monitoring sites, testing water quality monthly in conjunction with mitigation projects, contributing to faster detection of trends in water quality improvements.
HADES Effluent Project: The HADES group, representing high-altitude dairy farms, is seeking expert advice on managing E. coli contamination in freshwater. Two planning sessions were held in July (Inglewood and Newall) with local farmers to discuss progress and future projects. Upcoming workshops are planned for late October to educate farmers on effluent management and the new Taranaki Land and Freshwater Plan.
Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) Freshwater Consultations: TCC collaborated with TRC on a series of 16 drop-in sessions regarding proposed freshwater targets. Over 550 farmers attended these consultations, highlighting TCC’s role in bridging communication between the council and the farming community.
Catchment Group Events: TCC has facilitated more than eight events focusing on freshwater health, rural impacts, and sustainable practices. Ongoing water testing has been conducted across multiple sites, contributing to informed planning and mitigation efforts. Data collection and evaluation activities are continuing to assess progress.
We’ll continue to keep you posted on the progress and upcoming opportunities to get involved in these exciting initiatives. Stay tuned for more updates!
Power Up Your Farm:
Boost Efficiency and Cut Costs
We continue to drive forward our ‘Save Energy’ campaign, helping farmers reduce energy consumption, save money, and build more resilient and sustainable operations. The second phase of our awareness-raising campaign started in early September, and now is the perfect time to get involved.
Whether it’s cutting down costs, improving environmental sustainability, building resilience, or staying ahead of compliance, there's a good reason for every farmer to visit our dedicated webpage and jump on board. Small changes can lead to significant energy savings, which is great for both the environment and your wallet.
Practical Steps to Boost Efficiency
Audit Your Equipment: Check what needs replacing and include this in your farm plan.
Consult Suppliers: Have a chat with suppliers well ahead of time. They can help you select equipment that not only meets your needs but also works well together, delivering long-term savings.
Energy-Saving Tips
Switch to LEDs: Brighten your space, lighten your bill.
Use Off-Peak Power: Chat with your supplier about off-peak rates and set timers for optimal savings.
Regular Maintenance: Keep equipment in top shape to avoid costly breakdowns.
Insulate Hot Water Systems: Save up to $1,500 annually.
Install Variable Speed Drives: Improve flow, protect equipment, and reduce energy use.
Consider Solar Power: Today’s solar panels work even on cloudy days, offering major savings.
We couldn’t undertake this project without the support from Taranaki Regional Council, Federated Farmers, Venture Taranaki, EECA, Powerco and Todd Energy. For more resources and tips, check out our Energy Saving Guides at www.taranakicc.nz/taranaki-rural-energy.
Get the FACCTs: Take Your Farm Science Knowledge to the Next Level
Following the success of our recent introductory sessions, we’re excited to announce that the Farming and Compliance Confidence Taranaki (FACCT) workshops are now open for registrations! As part of the Good Farm project, these workshops will help Taranaki farmers deepen their understanding of farm science, protecting production and profitability while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Led by local farmer Campbell McCowan from PLANit Farming, the FACCT series consists of 10 workshops designed to equip you with practical knowledge on topics such as catchment geology, soils, erosion, nutrients, freshwater, and greenhouse gas science.
Whether you’re looking to learn more about managing your land or keeping up with changing regulations, these workshops will provide valuable insights and resources tailored to the needs of Taranaki farmers. With the introductory sessions receiving positive feedback and a great turnout, now is the time to secure your spot for the upcoming workshops.
What You Can Expect
10 x 2-hour sessions delivered over several months
Independent, unbiased information with no sales agenda
A chance to dive into the science behind your land and make informed decisions for the future
Networking opportunities with fellow farmers and local experts
To find out about available spaces at upcoming workshops, please contact: hello@taranakicc.nz
To find out more about FACCT, please visit: www.taranakicc.nz/facct
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain essential knowledge and practical tools to support the future of your farm.
Testimonials from previous FACCT workshop attendees in other parts of New Zealand
“Campbell’s series of talks is informative and thought-provoking. The topics build upon one another, starting with greenhouse gases and leading to understanding New Zealand soils and being prepared for the upcoming farm plans and other regulation changes… This series of courses will leave you better prepared for the future and better able to understand your particular piece of land and what it needs so you can get the most out of it.” – Thomas
“I recommend Campbell’s FACCT presentations not just for the rural community but for anyone who wants to know the facts.” – Bryan
The Sustainable Farms Trail
Step into the gumboots of Taranaki's local farmers and growers during the Sustainable Farms Trail, running from Monday 11 November to Sunday 17 November. This week-long event invites you to explore the diverse paths shaping the future of farming in our region.
Sponsored by TCC, this is your chance to gain insights into cutting-edge technologies and techniques, with a variety of farms showcasing everything from regenerative and organic practices to traditional dairy, dry stock, and market gardening operations. Whether you're interested in learning more about livestock, sustainable farming practices, or simply want to enjoy a day on the farm, the trail has something for everyone – townies and farmers alike.
Each farm on the trail offers free or low-cost tours and talks on selected days throughout the week. To ensure your spot, be sure to check the schedule and register early, as spaces are limited.
For the latest updates, follow @sustainablebackyardsnz or visit sustainablebackyards.org.nz/farmsabout for more information and tour details. The schedule is available to check here: sustainablebackyards.org.nz/all-daily
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