SUSTAINABILITY

At Wai Kōwhai, you become part of something bigger than property ownership. A planned 276 hectare restoration project will regenerate native habitats across the station while preserving productive farmland and making every property owner part of a remarkable conservation story.

Bringing 276 hectares back to life

Working with leading landscape architects and ecologists, the restoration programme will regenerate native habitats for flora and fauna while preserving the station’s productive farmland.

This careful balance between conservation and farming ensures the land’s heritage continues, and the station continues its remarkable story. All landscaping is being undertaken by the developer as part of the overall plan, with over 300,000 trees already planted and a commitment to see one million trees planted across all stages.

The comprehensive ecological plan spans 276 hectares across the station, encompassing existing wetlands, native vegetation and new restoration plantings to create a mix of ecosystems all working together to retain the ecological value of the land. Wetland margins will be planted with podocarps and other species to support native birds, such as kūkupa, while coastal areas will receive hardy natives, including pōhutukawa, pūriri, and karaka. Beneath established mānuka canopies, large fruiting native species are being planted to create healthy habitats to draw native birdlife back to the regenerating landscape. Existing kānuka stands will be maintained with secondary species added to speed natural succession. The rocky coastal areas will be restored with low-growing natives suited to exposed conditions and providing habitats for seabirds like oystercatchers and herons.

Contributing to something larger

Through partnership with Pest Free Purerua, Wai Kōwhai is part of a 7,600-hectare initiative protecting Northland’s kiwi population.

Predator control, food source protection, and wildlife corridor establishment across the peninsula create a place where native species can flourish.

The wider Kerikeri and Bay of Islands community takes environmental care seriously, with active kiwi protection programmes, native bird initiatives, and volunteer groups maintaining community conservation projects throughout the region. Your move to Wai Kōwhai puts you amongst like-minded people who care deeply about protecting the environment they call home.

Supporting active kiwi protection programmes

Low-density development

Large lot sizes and thoughtful planning ensure the natural landscape remains central to the station’s character.

Home to New Zealand’s rarest

The critically endangered Australasian bittern/matuku-hūrepo has found sanctuary at Wai Kōwhai, a remarkable occurrence given there are fewer than 1,000 of these birds left in New Zealand.

These shy, wetland species build their nests in raupō and dense reeds, but with over 90% of New Zealand’s wetlands lost to farming and development, safe habitat has become desperately scarce. The Wai Kōwhai restoration project’s focus on wetland revegetation provides the sanctuary these endangered birds need to survive.

The station is also privileged to be home to one of Northland’s largest wild kiwi populations. Nighttime brings the call of these precious birds, a reminder that you are part of a vital conservation effort.

Australasian bittern/matuku-hūrepo