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Graeme Atkins is a conservation expert based on the East Coast near Ruatorea, who works particularly with threatened native species and plants. With 30 years of experience, he is part of the Transition Advisory Group, formed in June-July last year, which includes representatives from the forest industry, farming, Māori landowners, and other stakeholders. Set up to establish guidelines to transition away from the land, as Graeme explains, “that every time it rains, it just basically peels off the hills and ends up in the rivers and ultimately ends up in the sea.” Pines were planted as they are fast-growing and can stabilise slopes, but in 25 or 30 years, they are all harvested, and the slopes are vulnerable again. Graeme says permanent native cover, with a diverse native forest, the protection values are better. During Cyclone Gabrielle, there was less erosion in indigenous forests. TAGs are putting together a business case, but as he pointed out, it cost billions of dollars to clean up after Cyclone Gabrielle.
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