Our Bream Bay Catchment Groups

Catchment groups represent a pivotal opportunity for New Zealand to address longstanding concerns about unhealthy waterways, a top environmental priority for over 25 years. The well-being of our native freshwater fish and biodiversity is at risk due to pressures intensified by humans and land management practices. Nationwide, more than 300 catchment groups, initiated by farmers, landowners, and local communities, have emerged as collaborative efforts to improve and maintain the health of shared waterways. These groups, through community engagement, adoption of measurable objectives, and sustainable land-use practices, form a network fostering healthy riparian zones beneficial to people and native freshwater ecosystems.

In 2022, a vision was born along the Ahuroa River as over 40 farmers initiated catchment groups, marking the beginning of an inspiring journey in Northland toward waterway conservation. Supported by Ministry for Primary Industries, the Piroa Conservation Trust embarks on a transformative project.

Key partners, including Patuharakeke Taiao unit, Whitebait Connection, Fonterra, Dairy NZ, NZ Landcare Trust, Northland Regional Council, Whangarei District Council, and the Department of Conservation, join forces in our collective mission to accelerate on-land management changes through a sustainable, community-led catchment model. Together, we work at improving freshwater quality and habitat for Bream Bay’s unique taonga species.

Our primary responsibility is to cultivate knowledge and confidence among farmers and landowners to implement on-farm changes and environmental plans across the Bream Bay freshwater catchments, utilizing community-led catchment groups. The challenges we address include erosion, sediment, e-coli, and rising water temperatures.
Piroa Conservation Trust currently collaborates with four catchment groups in the Bream Bay Area:
- Waionehui Stream
- Pohuenui River
- Ruakaka Forest
- Ahuroa/Millbrook Stream