Integrated Farm Planning Seminars and Focus Groups
Brought to you in conjunction with MPI, Ōpōtiki – Te Ahu Haumako is a series of integrated farm planning wānanga and focus groups, for people from all sectors – beef and lamb, dairy and horticulture. These sessions will be attended by local industry groups and local council, giving you the opportunity for introductions and questions.
Module Six: Biosecurity for Farmers and growers
Field Day: Pest plant Control
16 July 2025 at 31 Coast View Road, Ōpōtiki
We held a practical, hands-on field day focused on managing pest plants and weeds on farms and orchards. The session was designed for anyone wanting to better understand weed issues on their property — whether they were dealing with ongoing challenges or looking to prevent future problems.
Led by expert Ben Banks, the day provided real-world advice, tools, and techniques to help participants take control of invasive weeds in ways that suited their specific context.
What we covered:
How to identify common and problematic weeds
Effective methods to control and remove them
Strategies to stop them from coming back
This was a great opportunity to ask questions, see different weed control approaches in action, and pick up practical tips that could be applied straight away.
The expert:
Ben Banks – Biosecurity Contractor, Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Ben Banks is a seasoned biosecurity contractor working with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, specialising in pest plant identification and control. With a strong background in on-the-ground weed management, Ben has spent years working alongside landowners, farmers, and orchardists across the region to tackle invasive species and promote sustainable land practices.
Ben brings a practical, no-nonsense approach to weed control, drawing on a deep knowledge of local pest plants and the most effective methods to manage them. His experience ranges from targeted chemical control to mechanical removal, and he’s passionate about sharing what works — and what doesn’t — in the real world.
Whether you’re dealing with persistent weed problems or simply want to prevent future spread, Ben’s insights are grounded in science, shaped by experience, and delivered in a way that’s easy to understand and apply.
Seminar: Pests, Pathway and Prevention
3rd June 2025 at Te Tahuhu o te Rangi
A practical and engaging seminar designed for farmers and growers, focused on protecting your farm or orchard from biosecurity threats.
From Border to Farm Gate
How pests and diseases are managed at the border and what that means for you.Real-Life Case Studies
Insights from experts who’ve responded to major incursions like fruit fly, M. bovis, and moreOn-Farm and On-Orchard Biosecurity
Simple steps you can take to reduce risk and build resilience.NAIT and Disease Management
Updates from OSPRI on traceability, early detection, and practical prevention.Understanding the Risks
What’s at stake and why prevention matters.
The experts:
Murray van der Maas – MPI on Farm Team
Murray van der Maas is a member of MPI’s On Farm Support team, providing on-the-ground assistance to farmers and growers. With a background in managing Fonterra-owned farms across New Zealand, including both dairy and dry stock operations, he brings extensive practical experience to his role. Murray is dedicated to helping primary producers navigate biosecurity challenges and implement sustainable practices. His work focuses on supporting farmers and growers to enhance resilience and productivity through tailored advice and integrated farm planning
Matt Dyck – Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH)
Matt Dyck is the Biosecurity Manager at Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH), where he leads efforts to protect the kiwifruit industry from pests and diseases. With over a decade of experience, Matt has played a key role in major biosecurity responses, including recent fruit fly incursions. He also chairs national biosecurity groups and works closely with growers to improve readiness and resilience across the sector.
Module Five: There's something in the water
Field Day: Water quality testing and eDNA Sampling
10 April 2025 at Marawaiwai Reserve, Ōpōtiki
A practical on-farm/orchard field day where we applied what we learned at the seminar with Fran van Alphen from Landcare Trust.
Participants gained hands-on experience with:
SHMAK Water Quality Testing – Assessing water quality using simple, effective monitoring techniques.
eDNA Testing – Wilderlab kits to identify the species living in your waterways.
Macroinvertebrate Sampling – Understand how the presence of certain aquatic insects indicates waterway health.
Seminar: understanding Freshwater Ecology on your property
20 March 2025, at the Ōpōtiki Golf Club
An informative and practical seminar designed for farmers and growers who want to better understand and protect their waterways. With expert speakers Kelly Hughes, Paul Scholes, and Fran van Alphen, we explored key topics including:
- Freshwater species and lifecycles
- Fish passage and stream connectivity
- Understanding water quality testing results
- Macroinvertebrates and what they reveal about water health
With growing emphasis on freshwater protection, this seminar providesd valuable insights into what we’re protecting and how to measure progress.
About the Experts:
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes is a Senior Environmental Scientist at Bay of Plenty Regional Council, specialising in water quality and lake management. He has worked on key projects, including the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy and the Summerset Rotorua Project. Paul has led research on eutrophication, water monitoring, and environmental impact assessment, contributing to the sustainable management of freshwater resources. His expertise includes environmental analysis, lake restoration, and water quality assessment. With extensive experience in the field, Paul plays a vital role in protecting and improving water quality across the Bay of Plenty region.
Fran van Alphen
Frances (“Fran”) van Alphen is the Bay of Plenty Catchments Groups Coordinator for the NZ Landcare Trust, based in Whakatāne, New Zealand. In her role, she supports catchment groups in the region, facilitating community-led initiatives to improve water quality and land management practices. Fran also serves as the Chairperson of the Manawahe Eco Trust, reflecting her commitment to environmental conservation. She holds a degree in ecology and is dedicated to fostering sustainable land use and environmental stewardship in the Bay of Plenty region.
Kelly Hughes
Kelly Hughes is the Managing Director of ATS Environmental, specialising in innovative solutions for fish passage and waterway connectivity. Describing himself as an “inadvertent ecological engineer,” he utilizes baffles, ramps, ropes, and fish-friendly floodgates to restore aquatic habitats. Kelly has shared his expertise through webinars on fish passage and has developed devices like the Fish-Friendly Floodgate in collaboration with organisations such as the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and NIWA. His work has significantly contributed to the restoration of fish passage and the reconnection of waterways globally.
Field day fOUR: ETS and GHG INSIGHTS DAY
26 February 2025 at the Kevin Osborne's Farm
This Field Day was done in collaboration with Te Uru Rākau at Kevin Osborne’s Farm. There was in-depth discussions around the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) as well as sector-specific discussions on greenhouse gas (GHG) management plans.
Kevin Osbourne is a dedicated dairy farmer in the Waiotahe catchment with around 550ha of land. To date, he has planted over 50 hectares of pines, which are now in the process of being harvested. Kevin brings valuable insights into the successes and challenges of this venture and is currently exploring the possibility of entering the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
Amy Smith, a Senior Forest Advisor based in Whakatāne, brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the table. Having been involved with the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) since its inception, Amy is highly knowledgeable, articulate, and passionate about helping landowners navigate the complexities of the ETS.
sEMINAR fOUR: Market Driven GHG and the Emissions Trading scheme
24 October 2024 at the Ōpōtiki Golf Club
The seminar was a unique opportunity to hear from key industry leaders and experts, including presentations from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Fonterra, the Meat Industry Association and Zespri who provided valuable insights into the market drivers influencing emissions reduction in agriculture and horticulture.
Attendees gained a deeper understanding of how these drivers are shaping sustainable approaches across the sectors. In addition, Te Uru Rākau and Toitū Envirocare offered practical advice on how landowners can effectively utilise the ETS to reduce emissions and enhance environmental stewardship on their properties.
Field day three: Biodiversity Bites
6 June 2024 at the Otanemutu Farm
We saw a heard about the large pond they have constructed with a dam for irrigation, and witnessed the early stages of a wetland being established in an area unsuitable for grazing.
Additionally, a fish passage expert discussed the implementation of a fish passage in a culvert, sharing insights on supporting fish and other marine life in these environments.
Seminar three: Biodiversity Bites
22 May 2024 at the Senior Citizens Hall and the Ohiwa Headland Eco-Sanctuary
With biodiversity expert Wayne O’Keefe and local biodiversity rangers Mithuna Sothieson and Andy Glasier
About the experts:
Wayne O’Keefe is a trustee with Tane’s Trees and has a passion for the unique biodiversity that we have in NZ. He works in the community conservation space supporting and guiding conservation groups and landowners to achieve their conservation goals.
Mithuna Sothieson is deeply passionate about biodiversity and collaborates closely with the local community around the Ohiwa headland to foster the thriving ecosystem of native plants, animals, and birds. With years of experience under their belt, Mithuna is an invaluable source of expertise in this field.
Andy Glaser works the the Department of Conservation (DOC) in Ōpōtiki as the Wild Animal Team Lead. In saying that, conservation is more than just a job for him and he also does a lot of important work in the Ohiwa Headland Sanctuary, bringing the community together to work collaboratively on improving the local biodiversity so they, and we, can all benefit from it.
Farming with Native Biodiversity Resources
Throughout this 20-month pilot project, the goal was to distribute valuable knowledge to aid farms in their decision-making processes. The emphasis lay in fostering skills so that farms could develop practical, eco-friendly practices that also proved economically viable. The one page information sheets below that were created as part of this project.
Halo Project Resources
The Halo Project is dedicated to various activities including predator control, restoration of forest and seabird habitats, and freshwater enhancement spanning from the source to the sea. The resources below created as part of this project.
Field Day Two: VisuaL SOIL ASSESSMENTS (VSA)
About the expert:
The day started with a presentation at Woodlands Hall to give an introduction to VSAs then, after lunch, we headed out to a property nearby where Graham demonstrated how to complete a VSA on both a farm and an orchard
Graham Shepherd is a VSA expert, soil scientist and agricultural consultant. He is the director of the company Bioagrinomics who specialise in linking soil conditioning, soil function, plant nutrition, animal health, farm productivity and a farm’s environmental footprint with smart fertilisers and smart farm management practices.
Seminar Two: Soil Matters
With soil experts: Nick Collins and Murray McEwen (Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai) and Phil Carter (Biostart)
6 March 2024 at Woodlands Hall
About the experts:
Nick has been immersed in farming throughout his entire life, growing up on a sheep and beef farm north of Auckland. For seven years, he worked as a shearer in both Aotearoa and abroad.
He eventually accepted a job milking cows, which ended up with 18 years of farm ownership. Throughout this period, he operated under the Fonterra Organic program.
Six months after taking over the farm, he made the decision to convert to organic farming, driven by a commitment to stewardship of our land and water. His primary focus was on nurturing the soil microbiome and establishing diverse pasture swards. Additionally, he planted 20,000 trees on the property to serve various purposes, including riparian protection, shelter, shade, fodder, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, and carbon sequestration.
Murray possesses a diverse professional background, having engaged in various facets of the agricultural industry. His experience includes roles as a stock agent, wool classer, and involvement in export, as well as hands-on experience in dairy farming and milk processing.
Throughout his career, Murray has been actively involved in fertiliser application, farm nutrient management (including the use of Overseer), and the design and management of dairy effluent systems. Drawing from practical experience, he has worked in both conventional and organic agricultural production.
Phil is the Horticulture Territory Manager at Biostart, overseeing the regions of the Bay of Plenty, East Coast, and Lower North Island with dedication spanning eight years.
Raised on a poultry and sheep farm in the Wairarapa, Phil brings a wealth of agricultural knowledge to his role. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture and a Postgraduate Diploma in Horticultural Science from Massey.
Prior to working at Biostart, Phil has held pivotal roles, including serving as the Horticultural Sales Representative and Kiwifruit Export Representative for Wrightsons, as well as the Williams & Kettle Horticultural Representative and company fertiliser co-ordinator . His expertise further extends to overseeing Fruitfed Hastings representatives, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of diverse crops.
What was covered:
- Basics of soil
- What is soil and where does it come from
- Soil structure and properties etc
- Identifying land units, mapping, and finding the soil type
- What soil is, and the difference between dirt & healthy soil
- Soil & pasture management
- How to treat and influence soil functionality health
- How to assess and measure it.
- Rere Ki Uta Rere Ki Tai trials basics and some results
- Soil interaction with pasture & root diversity
- Soil & pasture management
Focus Group One - Mapping workshop
9 November 2023, at Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi
