Seed Islands Completed at Puatai – Growing a Thriving Future
Whāngārā Farms are proud to announce that the first seed island at our Puatai Farm has now been successfully planted. This is the first of many, that will be established as part of our Whenua Optimisation Plan. Nestled along our stunning coastal block, Puatai represents a vital step in our long-term commitment to environmental restoration and intergenerational wellbeing.
Seed islands are more than just a method of native planting. They are the building blocks of ecosystem renewal. By establishing clusters of hardy, locally sourced native plants, we’re setting nature up to regenerate itself over time. Birds, wind, and other natural forces spread seeds beyond the initial islands, enabling the return of native forests across wider areas of the whenua. For Puatai, this means reconnecting fragmented habitats, stabilising erosion-prone landscapes, and restoring biodiversity to a place that was once abundant in native life.
As these ecosystems recover, the benefits ripple out far beyond the initial planting sites. Native trees and shrubs act as natural sponges, reducing sediment runoff into waterways and helping to restore the mauri of our wetlands. Increased native canopy cover also improves soil health, supports pollinators, and creates corridors for native birdlife and other fauna to return and flourish. For a coastal farm like Puatai, this is especially important as it builds climate resilience, shielding our land from the impacts of extreme weather while also capturing carbon for a lower-emissions future.
“Completing the seed island planting at Puatai marks a major milestone for Whāngārā Farms,” says Business Manager Ray Leach. “It’s a win for our business, our environment, and our people. These projects speak to our commitment to leave the whenua better than we found it, not just for today, but for mokopuna. This is kaitiakitanga in action, and it’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”
The environmental and cultural importance of this work cannot be overstated. In Aotearoa, over 70% of original wetlands have been lost, and in Tairāwhiti, native bush now covers just 7% of the land. Our rohe is also one of the most erosion-prone in the country with tens of thousands of hectares of hill country at risk, contributing to sedimentation of rivers and degradation of ecosystems. Regenerative projects like these are crucial to reversing this trend, helping stabilise slopes, reduce nutrient runoff, and increase biodiversity.
Beyond the environmental outcomes, this work is also deeply about people. For our shareholders and whānau, Puatai represents not just a place of business, but a taonga passed down through generations. By investing in ecological restoration now, we’re future-proofing our whenua for the mokopuna of tomorrow, ensuring they inherit landscapes that are healthier, more productive, and spiritually alive. Seed islands help us honour our role as kaitiaki, reconnect our people to land-based knowledge, and create real, visible outcomes our communities can be proud of.
The completion of this stage at Puatai is just the beginning. With further planting planned and partnerships in motion, Whāngārā Farms will continue working towards a future where land regeneration, economic resilience, and whānau wellbeing go hand in hand. We thank all those who have walked alongside us on this journey so far and invite you to keep following our native restoration story as it grows.
