Fonterra - NZ Landcare Trust partnership builds momentum for wetland restoration
One year on, Fonterra’s partnership with NZ Landcare Trust is creating strong momentum for wetland restoration in communities.
The partnership has provided funding for 16 wetland restoration projects led by farmers, catchment groups and not‑for‑profit organisations. Spanning regions across the country, these projects focus on hands‑on restoration that strengthens wetland management, improves water quality, enhances biodiversity and encourages long‑term care and stewardship.
Fonterra Director of Sustainability Charlotte Rutherford says the Co‑operative is committed to working alongside partners to protect and restore nature.
“We’re helping farmers and communities across New Zealand achieve their environmental priorities while making meaningful progress on catchment restoration by working alongside our farmers, partners, local catchment groups, Iwi and non-profit organisations.”
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with NZ Landcare Trust this year, building on the progress already made and extending funding to support more wetland restoration projects.”
We’re proud to continue our partnership with NZ Landcare Trust this year, building on the progress already made and extending funding to support more wetland restoration projects.
Working together on the Taieri Plains
On the Taieri Plains in Otago, farmers and communities are reshaping how water moves across the land. The funding is supporting farmers on five Fonterra farms to restore and enhance areas where water naturally pools or flows, with two more farms set to join this year.
Open farm drains, which are important for pasture productivity, are being widened and reshaped, with sediment traps added and native wetland plants established. These changes help capture sediment, nutrients and contaminants before water reaches streams and rivers, while still allowing farms to drain effectively.
Farmers are also fencing and planting low‑lying, wet areas of paddocks and retiring small, hard‑to‑farm corners of land. Over 2000 trees have been planted, with another 1,000 planned this year. These areas help filter water, improve downstream water quality, and create new habitats for birds and insects.
NZ Landcare Trust Chief Executive Dr Nick Edgar says the project highlights what is possible when communities are supported to take practical action.
“Fonterra’s funding has been vital in helping form a local catchment group in the area. By restoring these small wet areas across farms, we’re seeing real gains for water quality, biodiversity and the long‑term health of our catchments, and we’re keen to support more farms in the area,” Edgar says.
Fonterra and NZ Landcare Trust’s partnership is a three‑year programme, supporting wetland restoration in communities across New Zealand.
Applications for this year’s funding open on 1 May, with funding increased to up to $60,000 per project, helping communities deliver greater environmental impact.