Thursday, 17 November 2022 10:55

Project to lift regional water quality

Written by  Staff Reporters
NZ Landcare Trust chief executive Dr Nick Edgar. NZ Landcare Trust chief executive Dr Nick Edgar.

NZ Landcare Trust and Westpac have announced a partnership to help community groups improve waterways around the country.

The Westpac Watercare Project will see $10,000 grants handed out each year to conservation projects. Westpac will provide the funding and work with NZ Landcare Trust to distribute it.

The Trust works within regional communities to support sustainable land and water care initiatives and projects throughout New Zealand.

NZ Landcare Trust chief executive Dr Nick Edgar says the partnership will help local groups take action on key issues affecting our waterways.

"Many of our catchment areas are suffering from declining biodiversity, excess sediment buildup or poor water quality," Edgar says.

"We have roughly 106 catchment groups, 11 catchment collectives and 377 community Landcare groups, all of whom need varying degrees of support and funding to keep up their great work.

"With Westpac on board, they'll be better-equipped to make practical and positive changes to their local environment. That could involve planting native trees, weed control, trapping more pests, or investing in water-monitoring equipment, among other important initiatives."

Westpac NZ head of agribusiness Tim Henshaw says the bank is committed to helping protect and enhance our awa (waterways) for the benefits of all communities.

"We all want to do our bit to look after our backyard. By supporting the Trust's important work at the grassroots level, we're helping everyday New Zealanders make a real difference in their area and contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment," Henshaw says.

"With more than 5,000 staff around the country, we already have a strong footprint in the regions, and this partnership will give our people opportunities to volunteer on projects, working hand in hand with local communities."

The Eastern Whio Link, which aims to restore whio (blue duck) populations to East Coast rivers through extensive stoat trapping, recently became the first group to receive $10,000 grant. Westpac ambassador Richie McCaw spent time working with the team near Gisborne last week and was impressed by their passion and dedication.

"It was great getting my hands dirty with some really committed locals and seeing their amazing work up close," he says.

"For your average New Zealander, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to conservation and cleaning up our environment, so it's really cool to see Westpac working with local environmental groups to give everyone a chance to make a real difference."

Five more recipients of the $10,000 grants will be announced in the coming weeks. Registrations for the 2023 Westpac Watercare Project will open next April. Groups can register their interest for a grant at www.landcare.org.nz/who-we-work-with

More like this

Big future for hort

The horticulture sector is punching above its weight when it comes to export revenue, according to Westpac industry analyst Paul Clark.

$9 milk price firming

Despite last week’s drop in global dairy prices, consensus is emerging among economists that the season’s milk price will end up near $9/kgMS.

Featured

New ag degrees at Massey

Changing skill demands and new job opportunities in the primary sector have prompted Massey University to create a new degree course and add a significant major into another in 2025.

The show is on!

It was bringing in a new Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show board, more in tune with the CAPA general committee, that has ensured that Christchurch will have a show this year, says CAPA general committee president Bryce Murray.

Forestry cuts into stock numbers

There is an urgent need for the Government to put a limit on the sale of farms for forestry - particularly for carbon farming.

National

'Quite a journey'

Former Synlait chief executive Grant Watson says the past two years have been quite the journey.

DairyNZ levy to increase?

Retiring chair Jim van der Poel has used his final AGM to announce the intention to increase the DairyNZ farmer…

Former Fonterra CEO dies

Former Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings passed away in the Netherlands over the weekend.

Machinery & Products

Milk Sustainability Centre launched

The recently announced Milk Sustainability Centre – a collaboration between global giant John Deere and milking and feed specialists De…

Data connection made easier

New Holland and Case IH are introducing new advancements in their precision technology stack to make farming easier and more…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Feed from farmers

OPINION: The country's dairy farmers will now also have a hand in providing free lunch for schools.

Brighter future

OPINION: The abrupt departure of Synlait chief executive Grant Watson could be a sign that Chinese company Bright Dairy, the…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter