This year, NZ Landcare Trust/Ngā Matapopore Whenua proudly marks its 29th year at the forefront of community action to improve the sustainability of Aotearoa New Zealand’s land and water. Its newly released 2024–2025 Impact Report highlights the remarkable achievements of the past year while underscoring the challenges still facing our environment.
To celebrate this milestone, NZ Landcare Trust has officially launched Landcare Buddy, a new online platform designed to support catchment groups, landowners, and environmental champions. Landcare Buddy provides practical tools, templates, success stories, and resources to help communities take practical action.
Since 1996, NZ Landcare Trust has been bringing people together including landowners, catchment groups, iwi, schools, councils, businesses, and government to take practical, grassroots action for healthier land, water, and communities.
“Freshwater is an intrinsic part of who we are as New Zealanders,” says CEO Dr Nick Edgar. “Over the past century, water quality has faced increasing pressure, and many rivers, lakes, and wetlands are now in need of care and restoration. Addressing this challenge takes everyone working together including government, industry, and communities. For 29 years, NZ Landcare Trust has played a vital role in connecting these groups, and the launch of Landcare Buddy builds on that legacy by giving communities across the country the tools and knowledge to make a real difference.”
The Trust’s 29th year reflects the power of collaboration and commitment
NZLT Impact Report 2024–2025
• 244 events held, with 8,842 attendees
• 17,371 volunteer hours contributed to environmental initiatives throughout New Zealand
• Support for 2,749 land managers nationwide
• $503,287 in funding secured for catchment groups
• 74,911 native plants established
• 357 new traps for pest control
• 15 wetlands under improved management and 14 habitat restoration plans
• 2,539 young people engaged in hands-on conservation, inspiring the next generation of kaitiaki via the Junior Landcare Programme
“We’re a relatively small organisation achieving high-impact outcomes and exceptional value,” says Dr Edgar. “As we approach our 30th anniversary, our vision is to ensure the work communities have started can continue to grow, creating a lasting difference for our land, our water, and our future generations.”
Introducing: Landcare Buddy
NZ Landcare Trust has a new feature on our website, Landcare Buddy. Powered by AI, Landcare Buddy is designed to make it easier for you to find the information and resources on our website to help you address environmental challenges. Landcare Buddy is an innovative tool that draws from a comprehensive knowledge base and can quickly explore our curated suite of more than 750 resources and video transcripts.
How can you use Landcare Buddy?
For example, if you are looking to create a Farm Environment Plan (FEP) for your dairy farm, simply type “Help me write an FEP” into the Landcare Buddy “ask me anything” box. Landcare Buddy will then provide a step-by-step guide to help you create your FEP, along with useful links to NZ Landcare Trust FEP-specific resources and relevant webinars or videos.
The NZ Landcare Trust difference
NZ Landcare Trust acknowledges that many Kiwis are still cautious about AI. Before embarking on Landcare Buddy, we carefully considered the benefits and potential challenges of AI, particularly in relation to accuracy and privacy. After reviewing various AI service tools, we selected a New Zealand company, Bettr, that is committed to developing AI software solutions with purpose. We also updated our Privacy Policy to reflect the changing nature of technology and the adoption of AI, ensuring that NZ Landcare Trust handles your data appropriately and with care.
Visit www.landcare.org.nz and try out the Landcare Buddy today.
Editor’s note
Photographs have been produced by NZ Landcare Trust NZ Landcare Trust/Ngā Matapopore Whenua
Photograph one All staff photo
About Landcare Trust
Since its inception 29 years ago, NZ Landcare Trust/Ngā Matapopore Whenua has worked to empower the communities we live and work in, to focus on and improve the sustainability of our land and water quality.
With a team of dedicated regional coordinators around the country, NZ Landcare Trust is renowned for working with people to create long-term change for the better, while providing education and support for those working in and for catchment and landcare groups. NZ Landcare Trust is a not-for-profit organisation.
Pictured: all staff celebrating 29th birthday of NZLT at the offices in Hamilton.
Pictured: Nathan Burkepile (foreground), NZLT Hawke’s Bay Regional Catchment Coordinator, leading a workshop on stream health.
Pictured: Nicole Foote, NZLT Otago Regional Catchment Coordinator, with members of the Gore Catchment, supported by Westpac staff during a planting day.