Local and national governments need to support farmers to meet environmental goals, not just regulate them.

That’s what farm biodiversity advisor David Norton shared to farmers at a field day.

The event, a collaboration between Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Mid Canterbury Catchment Collective, aimed to show farmers how creating native habitat can benefit both the land and the farmer.

It was hosted at Okawa farms, a Hereford stud-hosting property with a long history of biodiversity.

Norton, an emeritus professor with the University of Canterbury’s forestry department, shared his knowledge with the 50-odd farmers.

The talked covered habitat maintenance, council requirements and the importance of relationship building, whether with council, government or other farmers.

“Good relationships are fundamental, even if you disagree.”

He said joining a catchment group was a good way for farmers to pool funding and share costs as well as experience.

But there were things outside of the farmer’s control that made environmental work difficult.

“There’s a lot of apprehension about the regulatory burden sitting out there.”

“We do need a regulatory bottom line, but it’s gotten to the point where some farmers see it as a disincentive.”

He said the National Policy Statement on Biodiversity was that it lacked any rewards for those on farms.

“It’s great to have all this regulation, but where’s the support to help farmers do this work?

“It’s an additional cost with no reward.”

He said there needed to be a financial incentive for farmers who invested in native flora, but didn’t expect the Government to provide that any time soon.

Norton said Okawa farm was a “prime example,” of practical biodiversity.

“It’s an intergenerational farm, since 1953,” Nick France, who mans the farm with wife and inheritor Penny, said.

“All those generations have been big tree people.”

The farm hosts a range of native and exotic plants, from cabbage trees along laneways to a feature birch tree that pokes through the other greenery.

Another decades-long project is the extensive wetland on the property, the result of planting around natural springs and leaving nature to fill the gaps - aside from weed maintenance.

“Anything that’s done on this farm is not just for fun, it has a purpose,” France said.

He said the planting is all practically focussed and pointed towards a group of douglas fir plants.

The fir will be harvested, which pays for the upkeep of the other trees.

There’s an abundance of native birds in the trees, and freshwater fish and mussels in the streams - France said they’ve always been there, but providing the right habitat helps them to flourish

“That’s all being done [alongside] intensive farming.

“It’s all been done practically, even the natives.”

By Anisha Satya