KMR Praises Environmental Efforts At Oneriri Station

Kaipara Moana Remediation Pou Tātaki Justine Daw is praising the planting of over 150,000 natives with KMR support on Oneriri Station’s drystock unit near Kaiwaka – a move that will help protect the Kaipara Moana.

In delivering a presentation at a well-attended Beef + Lamb New Zealand event at Oneriri Station, Justine highlighted the significant progress KMR has made partnering with other like-minded farmers and landowners within the Kaipara Moana catchment in recent years.

The 3500ha (2,600ha effective) Oneriri Station is one of the largest privately-owned working sheep and beef operations in the Kaipara Moana catchment within the Auckland and Northland Regional Council zones.

In partnership with KMR, the station has planted over 150,000 natives across 90 hectares of marginal riparian, coastal, wetland, and erodible hillside areas during the past three years, building on an existing 110 hectares of native planting already established by the station.

Oneriri Station also borders 47 kilometres of Kaipara Harbour coastline along the Oneriri Peninsula. Over the past decade, the station has fenced the entire coastal margin themselves, and in partnership with KMR has recently completed a further 1.7 kilometres of new fencing to protect native forest remnants, wetlands, and streams, enabling further planting and natural regeneration.

As one of the largest catchment groups in Aotearoa New Zealand - across a substantial 640,000ha catchment in both Northland and Auckland - Justine says KMR is pleased to be partnering with Oneriri Station.

“KMR doesn’t just work on the harbour margins, we work from the highest ridgelines to the coastline - and all of the landscape in between - and we are looking to do more work with dry stock farmers as Farm Environment Plans draw nearer,” says Justine.

“Markets and consumers are increasingly looking for demonstrable evidence of sustainability on farm, that is why KMR is constantly looking for further partnerships to support dry stock farmers to take advantage of the support that KMR offers.”

Three out of every four landowners in the Kaipara Moana catchment are drystock farmers.

“A substantial number of sheep and beef farmers are already working with KMR and in total we have more than 1050 landowners and groups who are doing their bit for the environment.”

Justine says the KMR team are always keen to talk to primary sector groups on how they can partner together to reduce costs and barriers, while taking positive environmental action to meet KMR’s mission of halving sediment flows into the Kaipara Moana.

“While our primary focus is on reducing sediment, there are many wider benefits from working with KMR as so many farmers in Auckland and Northland will attest to.

“While helping farmers to meet environmental standards and supporting freshwater farm plans, the KMR kaupapa is helping increase resilience to storms, floods and other extreme weather, while also restoring mahinga kai and helping valued species to thrive,” she says.

KMR activities can also improve on-farm economics by reducing input costs for unproductive areas on farms.

“KMR can also assist with improved grazing efficiency and diversification of on-farm income (timber, carbon, and possibly biodiversity in future), better operational management through better stock flow, time savings and improved animal welfare,” says Justine.

“We are keen to continue helping drystock farmers respond to the complex mix of market, community and family aspirations,” says Justine.

On-farm activities eligible for KMR grants include fencing off and planting waterways, wetlands and coastal margins, along with fencing off existing bush blocks to exclude stock.

KMR can also help with managing erodible hill country through planning around stock exclusion and native planting or natural regeneration in retired areas.

For groups, KMR also supports some engagement and project management costs.

To get started with KMR, get in touch with hono@kmr.org.nz or check out kmr.org.nz

Note:

As at 31 October 2025, 3¾ years into delivery, KMR has delivered the following results on the ground:

Over 150,000 hectares managed under KMR plans

Nature & Resilience

• Over 2.78 million plants in the ground or contracted to plant this winter
• 1,604 hectares planted or contracted, or regenerating into native forest
• 1,088 km of fencing completed or contracted – the same distance as from Cape Rēinga to Wellington!

Jobs & Skills

• 424,000 hours of new work – a year’s work for over 272 people
• >$28.8 million invested in restoration projects
• 51 local businesses and nurseries accredited to supply KMR
• 247 people trained and mentored, many from local iwi/hapū, to advise on project design and delivery

Participation

• 1,385 landowners/groups have expressed interest in KMR
• 917 plans completed with landowners/groups
• 108 more plans in development
• 126 projects led by hapū, marae, community groups, catchment groups and other collectives

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