About Us
Our Vision
“Through establishing an ecological corridor network, communities within the Wairau Catchment work together to achieve a connected landscape of healthy ecosystems and flourishing indigenous wildlife.”
Our Mahi
The Wairau Nature Network believes that through supporting ecological corridors, we can increase native vegetation to at least 15% in the lowlands of the Wairau Catchment providing habitat for native animals to thrive. Achieving this vision requires a united effort from community groups, industries, and landowners.
We aim to create a sense of shared purpose and identity among land managers that helps to initiate new and invigorate existing community and individual initiatives.
Connecting the community to the landscape.
Rather than existing in isolation, every planting project becomes a critical link in the landscape.
Mapping our corridors
Our Wairau EcoMap | Haumi helps us understand what native vegetation remains in the Wairau, where the gaps are, and how we can reconnect ecosystems through targeted restoration. By exploring the map layers, you can see what should or could be growing in different areas, identify opportunities for ecological corridors, and access guidance on suitable species to plant. It also highlights the incredible restoration already underway across both public and private land. Please contact us is you would like your restoration project mapped.
Our Plan
To achieve our vision we will create resources to inspire, support and connect groups and individuals, as well as provide technical resources and knowledge.
Community of Practice
The Wairau Valley Catchment is too big for any one group to restore alone — it requires collaboration across multiple projects, big and small.
Wairau Nature Network provides a platform for groups and individuals to come together, share their knowledge and skills, and work collectively toward better conservation outcomes for the whole catchment.
Grow Restoration Knowledge
As more people in the community build their restoration knowledge and develop practical skills, the positive impact on the Wairau landscape grows. That’s why we run and support workshops that teach practical conservation techniques such as ecosourcing native seeds, propagation, planting, pest control, and more. These workshops are accessible to all, giving people the tools and confidence to restore nature in their own backyard, contribute to existing projects, or start new ones.
An Information Hub
Finding reliable, practical information on restoration best practices can be overwhelming. There’s often too much information — or it’s not specific enough for your land or project.
To help, we’ve created an information hub that brings together trusted technical resources in one place. It also acts as a connection point for groups and individuals who might otherwise be working in isolation.
This resource will continue to grow over time as we add new tools, guidance, and shared knowledge from local projects — making it easier for everyone to access the right support when they need it.
Connecting People & Projects
We’re working to create more opportunities for connection, conversation, and collaboration between restoration groups across the region. By opening up channels for communication, knowledge sharing, and peer support, we aim to ensure that no project works in isolation. As this network grows, we’re encouraging more experienced project leaders to mentor newer groups — sharing lessons learned, practical advice, and encouragement to help others succeed.
Partnering for Impact
We’re developing ways to connect businesses and individuals who want to support local biodiversity with community-led restoration projects that need funding, hands-on help, or other support. This might include employee volunteer days, regular donations to environmental initiatives, or coordinating working bees to assist landowners with planting and restoration work.
These partnerships will create real, on-the-ground impact — while strengthening ties between people, land, and community. They’ll also offer meaningful ways for participants to connect with nature and be part of positive change.
Our Team
The WNN team are a diverse group from the community dedicated to restoring the natural landscape of the Wairau catchment.
