Land

Over half our Region’s land is hill country and, in an economy defined by agriculture, it is vital to manage this land sustainably.

Horizons' land management work focuses on reducing erosion, protecting soil health and managing dune lands, with a key focus on preventing accelerated erosion in our fragile hill country.

 

To carry out this work we get involved in research and monitoring, advice and information, funding and incentives, the development of Whole Farm Plans (WFPs), and specific work programmes for the Region’s hill country and within the Whanganui catchment area.

 

Our Region’s problems with hill country erosion were sorely exposed during the February 2004 storm. The aim of our Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) and our WFPs is to incentivise land use change and to ensure the region is protected against future adverse weather events.  

 

 

Our One Plan is a consolidated Regional Resources Plan which combines all of our previous plans into one.

 

Under the Proposed One Plan, farmers who choose not to develop a WFP will have to comply with rules for vegetation clearance and earthworks to ensure they do not increase the risk of accelerated erosion.

 

Chapter 5 in the Proposed One Plan explains our role in land management, including our objectives, policies, and methods.