The couple developed a farm environment plan with an emphasis on enhancing the native biodiversity on the farm, alongside maintaining a profitable business.
Mrs Watson has a land management background and is currently the project manager for the Waimatā Catchment Restoration Project, which provides funding and support to landowners throughout the catchment to undertake biodiversity and conservation improvement projects.
“Receiving this award has been a real surprise,” she said.
“I am very fortunate to be in a position where I can help my community undertake environmental projects, and more recently support them with cyclone recovery.
“It has been great funding environmental projects over the last few years, but being in a position to help farmers with cyclone recovery, and helping them get back on their feet, has meant so much more,” she said.
“The appreciation I have received over the last few months from landowners in the Waimata catchment has been really overwhelming.”
A Local Hero awards spokesperson said Laura and the other medallists from Kaitaia to Bluff had been recognised for their exceptional contributions to Aotearoa’s communities.
“Now more than ever, it’s time to celebrate the people and moments that unite us.
“Laura Watson is not afraid to get stuck in to support her neighbours, her sector, and the environment.
“In her role as catchment coordinator for the Waimatā Restoration Project, she has grown the project into one of New Zealand’s leading on-farm biodiversity projects,” the judges said.
“On top of that she’s been an ongoing advocate for conservation, with an impactful message that resonates through speaking engagements at conferences like the O Tātou Ngāhere Conference.
“In the face of Cyclone Gabrielle and subsequent weather challenges, Laura spearheaded the Waimatā catchment recovery effort, securing over $100,000 in self-generated funding to get farmers back on their feet.
“She led teams of operators, volunteers, and community members — and her work has been showcased nationally as the exemplar of what community recovery efforts should and could look like in the rural sector.”
The Waimatā Catchment Restoration Project began in 2019, with the catchment group forming the following year.
It was inspired by local landowners who wanted to improve the health of the Waimatā River, its tributaries and the wider catchment.
With its headwaters in rural hill country north-east of Gisborne, Waimatā River flows down through the city and is the region’s most popular recreational waterway.
The catchment includes urban areas, small block owners, large sheep and beef properties, and forestry.
The catchment group model enables all landowners — large or small — to be equal members.
The group collaborates with landowners, iwi and the wider community to deliver a range of initiatives.
More than 80,000 native plants have been planted to enhance biodiversity, while 1500 poplar and willow trees have been planted for erosion control on farmland.
To enhance existing native bush, waterways have been extensively fenced and riparian areas protected.
This is supported by intensive predator control and a community water quality monitoring programme.
Wetlands are being restored to reduce sediment build-up and nutrient impact, and protect against flooding.
Ecological corridors of native bush are being created to encourage and increase the resilience of birds and wildlife.
To raise awareness of biodiversity issues and opportunities, the group contributes to research, hosts local schools and runs community workshops. They’re also connected with Gisborne District Council, ensuring the community’s aspirations are reflected in new strategies and bylaws.
“Helping to protect and enhance the ecosystems across our farm and involve our children as we go is really important to us,” Laura Watson said.
“With the support and encouragement of the Waimatā Catchment Group we have been able to achieve a lot of our environmental goals over the last four years, many of which would have taken decades to achieve without them.
“This goes to show the importance and benefits of supporting landowners to undertake environmental projects on their properties.
“Landowners in Waimatā have been able to repair damage to their lifestyle properties, farms and infrastructure and some have still been able to undertake environmental projects like fencing wetlands and planting erosion control trees and natives.
“It has been an incredible effort,” she said.
“Even with all the damage our catchment has faced this year, we have still managed to plant over 45,000 native trees across 60 properties, plant over 1200 poplar and willow trees, and fenced wetlands, waterways and bush blocks.
“It’s been a really busy year, but I am proud of what we have managed to achieve.
“Having an established catchment group and support from our committee has provided us with a solid foundation to receive funding and Government support.
“We have been very fortunate to be in this position.
“I am hoping to help other communities in our region get catchment groups established in the next few years so that they can help get Government funding and support into their own communities.”
■ Medals have been delivered to the doorsteps of the 100 Kiwibank Local Hero recipients, each of whom has been nominated by someone in their community.
“From an overwhelming number of nominations, the panel of independent judges from across the motu undertook the mammoth task of selecting the 100 medallists,” the awards spokesperson said.
“These recipients are our front-line workers and our unsung champions working tirelessly for their local hapori — communities.
“They embody the spirit of Aotearoa, reflecting the diversity and mana of our nation.”
The medallists are now in the running for the 2024 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Award Te Pou Toko o te Tau.
Semi-finalists will be announced on December 13, three finalists on February 21, and the overall winner will be announced on March 27.
