Taking a long-term view to care for our environment, our people and our communities.
Formed in 2018, King Country River Care (KCRC) is an incorporated society helping farmers understand their environmental impact and get ahead of anticipated regulatory change by pooling their resources. We aim to build knowledge and understanding, source funding, and work alongside farmers to promote sustainable farming practices.
Our catchment areas cover over 200,000 hectares and an estimated 5,000km of rivers and streams. Our geographical boundary extends from the Mokau River in the south, to the Kawhia Harbour in the north and across to Benneydale and Rangitoto in the east.
While our initial focus was on water quality improvement; soil health, biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions and most importantly community resilience, are all important and are tightly interlinked.
Our group is a farmer-led initiative.
Initially self-funded through member subscriptions we have since secured funding from Waikato Regional Council (WRC), and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) – Productive & Sustainable Land Use Extension Services, and Te Uru Rakau 1Billion Trees/Jobs for Nature.
Currently we have about 100 financial members. Our aim is to have every one of the 350 farms in our associated catchments involved in our activities.
Our objecives & key strategic themes
Our objectives:
To protect the culture, economy and resilience of our wider community
To facilitate and promote ‘good farming practice’ of sustainable land management principles.
To ensure our regions farmers have a voice and are represented in communications with external stakeholders and development of policy.
Our key strategic themes
Delivering on farm environmental excellence.
Growing an active, engaged, inclusive membership based around catchment communities.
Build key stakeholder relationships.
Gathering evidence, identifying and managing research needs.
What we’ve set out to achieve
Phase one
2020 - 2023
180 working farm plans developed
100 Nutrient budget +/- GHG or similar developed.
At least two pilot farm projects in progress.
300 farmers engaged
SCG catchment plans completed & reviewed.
Support planning & access to funding for on farm action environmental projects.
Scope, plan, fund & implement community wellbeing projects for example - KCRC 100K Natives.
External expert workshops delivered
Local Iwi, DOC and key stakeholders engaged
Phase two
2023 - 2026
- All farmers have Farm Plans in progress.
- All farmers familiar with NB + GHG.
- 95% target farmers engaged.
- Stakeholders engaged.
- Natural capital measures show improvement.
- Community wellbeing, social, cultural & economic measures, reviewed and progressed.
Phase three
2026-2030
- Farm Plans valued by landowners.
- Our communities demonstrate resilience.
- Landowners / Stakeholders engaged & value their involvement.
- Natural capital measures show further improvement.