100 projects
Trying things out, costing them, and planning how to take them to scale
Living Water: Dairy and freshwater thriving together
Living Water is a partnership between the Department of Conservation and Fonterra. Our focus is finding game-changing and scalable solutions that will enable farming, freshwater and healthy ecosystems to thrive side-by-side.
We are working with farmers, scientists, councils, mana whenua and communities to design and test solutions, and then develop a plan to implement regionally and nationally.
Our mission
5 regions
Demonstrating dairying and freshwater ecosystems thriving together
1 mission
To build connections which can drive better outcomes for the environment, the economy and New Zealanders
Who are we
With nearly 40% of New Zealand’s land under their care, Fonterra and the Department of Conservation have joined forces to work on the farming and freshwater challenge.
We work on the ground, side by side. We share our expertise and use our collective strengths.
Where we’re working
How we’re working
1
Working towards a common vision of dairy and freshwater thriving together
2
Designing and trialling solutions in five catchments
3
Measuring the impact across 10 years
4
Scaling implementation — the process and cost per farm, per region and for New Zealand
5
Championing change — to mindsets, approaches, systems and aspirations
What we’re up to
We are doers, with the big picture in mind. Check out what we have been up to around New Zealand.
This is what partnership and progress looks like
It's amazing what we can accomplish when we work together! Environment Canterbury CAREX Fish and Game New Zealand working together to support farmers and WaterAndWildlifeHabitatTrust to do our annual habitat survey of a 4km long restoration project.
Time flies when you're having fun!
We're 5 years into our 10 year partnership and boy, have we achieved a lot! This has only been possible with the help of some of the best scientists, farmers, mana whenua and partner organisations. Imagine what is possible in the next 5 years.
We've gone International!
Wow, our Fonterra and Department of Conservation Living Water partnership was recognised today by South Korean politician and diplomat and previous Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki Moon, at the #IDFWorldDairySummit, acknowledging our commitment to sustainable dairying and freshwater ecosystems thriving side by side. What an honour! Thanks to Tim Mackle (DairyNZ) for tweeting it! https://twitter.com/tim_mackle/status/1051654886197157888
Introducing Fonterra Trailblazers
Fonterra farmers, Graeme and Sharon Gillett have been Living Water - DOC & Fonterra trailblazers since June 2014 when they partnered with us on the first ever riparian planting project with help from our Living Water Wairua River and Fonterra Farm Source Northland teams. They went on to establish the first Living Water / QEII covenant on their farm, were the first to have an ecologist survey their land, and built a dam to provide water storage and wildlife habitat. In doing so they've not only left a legacy for their kids who are now running the farm, but also inspired their neighbours to get involved. #earlyadopters #freshwateronfarms. Watch their story here https://youtu.be/w-Gu2BwBQ2c
Our progress
Our plans, projects, case studies, and reports.
