The Government invests $995,000 to enhance farm productivity.
New Zealand's Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay announced the partnership with Hawke's Bay farmers and Regional Council at a ceremony on 5 December 2024. The Land for Life (LFL) pilot programme aims to support farmers in adapting to changing conditions and building resilience against adverse weather events.
The initiative, which initially included 12 pilot farms in Hawke's Bay, is now expanding to 100 regionally, with an ambitious goal of reaching 300 farms within the next few years. The LFL approach enables farmers to enhance high-performing land for agricultural use while generating additional income through carbon credits and timber.
High-level benefits projected by LFL include cumulative economic gains of up to $380 million over 30 years, avoided costs of $1.5 billion from reduced landslides, sequestration of 61,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions, improved water quality, and increased overall farm resilience.
The Government's co-investment will validate and extend the LFL model towards a self-funded system that focuses on delivering long-term benefits for rural communities and driving economic gains. This initiative is part of New Zealand's plan to support world-class farmers and growers while meeting international obligations.