More than 600km of Taranaki river and stream banks will be planted with almost a million native plants next winter, as the region's farmers take advantage of a $5 million Government boost.
The funding for the Transforming Taranaki riparian management programme will not only give eligible farmers the chance to buy native plants for $1 each, but is also expected to create about 80 new jobs and bring environmental benefits to the entire region.
The Taranaki Regional Council scheme has been running for 27 years, with farmers voluntarily planting and fencing thousands of kilometres of waterways.
In that time council officers have prepared nearly 3000 individual riparian plans, and more than 6.2 million plants have been distributed at cost.
The programme's goal is improved water quality and an increase in biodiversity, with the plants providing habitat for native birds and cover for aquatic species.