Land management

Relationships between intensive dairy stocking rates and soil ecosystem health and biodiversity in Taranaki pastures - published 2010

This study examines whether and to what extent increased stocking rates are to the detriment of species diversity and abundance in Taranaki dairy pastures. The results suggest that in the short term at least, higher stocking rates do not pose a significant threat to agricultural biodiversity.

Report580 KB

Community Investment in Environmental Improvements in Taranaki - published 2008

This economic study, commissioned by the Taranaki Regional Council and carried out by Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL), found a near 250% increase in environmental capital investment in five years.

Report161 KB

Sustainable land-use monitoring in the eastern Taranaki hill country and coastal sand country - published 2008

Landcare Research (NZ) Ltd was contracted by Taranaki Regional Council to carry out a survey of land-use sustainability on 25 900-hectare hill country sites in eastern Taranaki, and monitor bare sand areas on four coastal sand country sites, for 2007. This follows similar surveys in 1996 and 2000, and shows that sustainable land management has made good progress. Hard copy: Free

Sustainable Land Use Monitoring 672 KB

Guidelines for Earthworks in the Taranaki Region - published 2006

Guidance on practical, cost effective measures that can be applied to soil disturbance activities associated with earthworks to prevent or minimise the adverse effects of those activities on the environment, particularly on water quality. Hard copy: $20 + GST

Guidelines for Earthworks 845 KB

Reducing the Risk: Proposed River Clearance and Maintenance Programme for the Waitotara catchment - published 2006

The main objectives of this report are to overview the effects from the February 2004 event in the Waitotara Valley catchment (excluding the township), and outline the approach proposed by the Council's Land Management section to address the issues in the short to long term. Hard copy: $15 + GST

Waitotara report 2.2 MB

Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Regional Action Plan - published 2005

A Regional Action Plan for Taranaki has been drawn up under the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord. The Accord focuses on reducing the impacts of dairying on the quality of New Zealand streams, rivers, lakes, ground water and wetlands to achieve clean and healthy water. The Regional Action Plan adapts the actions outlined in the Accord to Taranaki conditions. The Regional Action Plan for Taranaki was prepared by local representatives of the Fonterra Co-operative Group, Federated Farmers, and the Taranaki Regional Council. Progress in implementing the Regional Action Plan is reported on annually.

Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Regional Action Plan

Optimisation of Farm Irrigation - published 2003

This report, prepared by Lincoln Environmental, reports on a study commissioned by the Council to evaluate irrigation and water demand within the region; and to identify those areas where irrigation development is most likely to occur in the future. The study area encompassed an area of approximately 378,000 ha, encircling Mount Taranaki and the coastal plains to the south and north. The predominant land use within the area is dairy farming. Irrigation development within the area is almost exclusively for pasture production for rotational grazing and supplementary feed conservation. Hard copy: $20 + GST

Part 1 3.4 MB
Part 2 1.9 MB

Investing in our banks: the benefits of riparian management - published 2001

Sound riparian management - which includes the retirement, fencing and planting of riparian margins - has significant benefits for both the Taranaki environment and farm management. The booklet highlights a number of case studies which illustrate how riparian margins have been created in a variety of situations. Farmers and landowners are encouraged to join the environmental efforts in riparian management that are rapidly increasing throughout the region. Hard copy: $15+GST. Not available online.

Farm Dairy Discharges Standard Operating Procedures for Consent Processing and Compliance Monitoring - published 2000

These standard operating procedures set out the different types of discharge systems that are used on Taranaki farms and the rule requirements under the Proposed Regional Fresh Water Plan for Taranaki and consent conditions that apply to each type of system. Hard copy: $20 + GST. Not available online.

Riparian implementation strategy - published 1993

Riparian Implementation Strategy1.3 MB