More than half a million native plants have gone into the ground across the Waikato region as a major programme of fencing, stream protection and land retirement continues to build momentum.
Regional results for 2025/26 show 559,019 native plants were planted across eight zones, alongside 155 kilometres of new fencing and more than 59 kilometres of protected streambank.
The programme also saw 12,861 poles planted and 1,455 hectares of land retired, helping protect waterways, stabilise erosion-prone land and create space for indigenous vegetation to recover.
The Waihou/Piako zone recorded the largest number of native plants, with 143,056 planted, followed by the West Coast with 101,235 and Lower Waikato with 78,573.
The West Coast recorded the greatest length of new fencing at just over 45 kilometres, while also protecting more than 27 kilometres of streambank.
Waipā delivered another significant contribution, with more than 34 kilometres of fencing, almost 75,000 native plants and 141 hectares retired.
Coromandel recorded the largest area of retired land at 773 hectares, more than half of the regional total.
Across the Waikato, the figures show the scale of practical environmental work taking place on the ground — from fencing waterways and restoring native vegetation to protecting vulnerable land.
For mana whenua, farmers and local communities, the long-term test will be how that investment translates into healthier waterways, stronger biodiversity and more resilient whenua.
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