A sunny and successful Blythe Valley field day on Sunday 30 March attracted 50 attendees coming from Christchurch, Kaikoura, Waiau and more locally. Organised jointly by Hurunui Biodiversity Trust and the Hurunui District Landcare Group, the event took place on the properties of Richard Shaw and Nicki Murray and Tim and Jen Le Pine and family, with an optional excursion out to the DOC reserve at Nape Nape beach.

Richard summed up the day as a “great opportunity to raise the profile of the positive things that the Blythe community are doing for the environment and showcase how landowners and farmers are fulfilling their stewardship role”.

The morning started at Richard and Nicki’s cottage, where displays and maps showing the extent of the Blythe Valley Community Catchment Group’s trapping were discussed. The programme began in 2023 and now covers 14,000 ha, involving 22 properties. Results are logged onto TrapNZ, the tallies are analysed monthly and the regime is regularly fine-tuned. Different types of traps include a specialised cat trap, and the AT220, which is expensive but has proved highly effective. The Cheviot Menzshed is helping by building trap boxes.

Richard and Nicki’s 2ha native planting project around the cottage block was unfortunately set back by a wildfire in October 2023 that also destroyed parts of their established native bush. Replanting was undertaken last winter, expanding to 4ha and the new native plants are growing well.

We divided into groups for a guided 2 km walk through mature native kanuka and manuka forest that had been used for stock grazing by the previous owners. Now protected by boundary deer fencing and trapping, the understorey is regenerating well, evidenced by the abundance of birdsong. We also marvelled at a massive old kanuka that was growing unusually from multiple trunks. Wilding pines are being eliminated by drilling and poisoning.

We next visited Nicki and Richards’ 2ha QEII covenant that was established by David Murray in 1989, then enjoyed an outdoor BBQ at their home. Lunch was provided by HDLG, plus spit-roast lamb courtesy of Tim and Jen. After lunch we visited a wetland on the Le Pines’ farm which they are restoring by planting natives and poisoning willows. We then drove to their lookout for a breath-taking view towards the Kaikoura mountains and the sea. The Le Pines’ also have 48ha covenant on their farm.

The tour’s finale was an exhilarating drive to Nape Nape beach with its stunning limestone formations. We took a walk through the DOC scenic reserve and enjoyed the coastal forest, notable for its giant griselinias.

Many thanks to our wonderful hosts, Richard and Nicki, Jen and Tim, and Bridget Radford and Billy Bartrum of HDLG. Also thanks to Miles and Gillian Giller and Jamie McFadden for sharing their expert knowledge of the Blythe Valley catchment’s special biodiversity, and to Ian Murray (son of David Murray) who spoke about his family’s farming legacy in the valley.

Read more information here: Blythe Valley Catchment Group