Five years, 116,000 native plants, several landscapes transformed.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council says its significant environmental restoration projects in Ahuriri Estuary, Lake Tūtira, Lake Whakakī, and Lake Whatumā over the past five years are starting to bear fruit - or, at least, trees.
The projects - which have resulted in the planting of 116,500 native plants, and fencing of 31km of wetlands and waterways - were highlighted at an Environment and Integrated Catchment Committee meeting at the Central Hawke's Bay District Council in Waipawa.
Regional Council chairman Rick Barker says the projects shows the strong and positive partnership between the council, landowners, iwi and community groups.
![What the same farm looked like before.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/JDICA6PLY6427IV2ZHWITCFRCI.jpg?auth=700742e086b0f596520c725cfe3adabd341043505740fd8844114351bf0231dd&width=16&height=8&quality=70&smart=true)