Guidance to help new farm wetlands flourish

DairyNZ general manager for sustainable dairy, Dr David Burger, says as farmers increasingly look to protect and develop wetlands, advice is often sought on how to design wetlands to maximise their performance.

“With more farmers looking to reduce their environmental impact, there’s growing interest in re-establishing and constructing new wetlands,” says Dr Burger.

“We know wetlands can significantly reduce nutrient and sediment losses on farms. They also provide habitat for birds and fish, improve biodiversity and help create an attractive farm environment.”

The new Wetland Practitioner Guide – Wetland Design and Performance Estimates was recently launched at a Waikato dairy farm which features as a case study. Waikato Dairy Environment Leaders joined the launch to learn more about the benefits of wetlands.

In 2015, with funding from the Waikato River Authority, Gray and Marilyn Baldwin developed a wetland on their 713 hectare, 850 cow dairy farm near Putaruru in South Waikato.

The Waikato River Authority, DairyNZ, NIWA, Opus, Hill Laboratories, and Waikato Regional Council worked together with the Baldwin Family Trust on the project. The aim was to improve knowledge of wetland design and performance and share this with Waikato farmers and the community.

Over 12,000 native plants were planted at the site by local community groups.

"Our farm is located in the Upper Karapiro catchment, which is one of the more sensitive ones in the Waikato region, as it drains into the Karapiro," says Gray Baldwin.

“We want to improve local waterways and we see the wetland as being important to the whole catchment. It is a taonga."

The family are pleased to see biodiversity in the area improving and native birds flourishing.

With funding from DairyNZ, NIWA scientists monitored water flows and contaminant concentrations to assess the Baldwin’s wetland performance.

Despite its relatively small size (around one percent of the farm catchment area), good design and extensive planting means the wetland removes around 60 percent of nitrogen, 70 percent of sediment and 20 percent of phosphorus from the water it receives.

The new guidelines highlight that as wetlands increase from one to five percent of a catchment area:

• sediment removal typically increases from 50 to 90 percent 
• nitrogen removal increases from 25 to 52 percent in warmer zones of New Zealand  
• nitrogen removal increases from 18 to 38 percent in cooler zones of New Zealand  
• phosphorus removal increases from 25 to 48 percent. 

The guidance is the result of a four-year project between DairyNZ and NIWA, with input from many other organisations, including regional councils and Fish and Game NZ.

NIWA’s principal scientist - aquatic pollution, Dr Chris Tanner says the guidelines are designed for practitioners, but also provide evidence for farmers and councils of wetland effectiveness in removing contaminants.

“The estimates are based on over 20 years of New Zealand study and international field-scale monitoring and modelling studies. Estimates were then refined, tested and endorsed by a technical advisory group supporting the project.”

Dr Burger says farmers who are interested in constructing wetlands can contact an environmental consultant to work through the new guidance. Farmers should also seek regional council advice on consents and any assistance available.

Accessing the Wetland Practitioner Guide – Wetland Design and Performance Estimates  

The guidance covers:  

• wetland performance, design, sizing, siting, and costs 
• selecting and establishing plants, and wetland maintenance  
• wetland case studies from across New Zealand.

The guidance is supported by twelve regional councils, Fish & Game NZ and the Waikato River Authority. It can be downloaded at www.dairynz.co.nz/wetlands  

Media Contact
Allanah Jarman
Senior Media Specialist
p: 021 240 6614
e: Allanah.Jarman@dairynz.co.nz