Celebrating Our Fencing and Planting Award Winnersand a Landscape Transformed
In November in Dargaville, Kaipara Moana Remediation (KMR) hosted its inaugural Field Advisor Awards, recognising the expertise and dedication of those working alongside landowners to restore and protect the Kaipara Moana — Aotearoa’s largest harbour system.
We’re thrilled to share that two of The Forest Bridge Trust’s fencing and planting specialists were among this year’s award recipients.
Katie Forno received the Project Management Award for her exceptional leadership on a major restoration project with the Te Whio Family Trust in the Whangaripo Valley. The project spans a multigenerational 432ha dry stock block, with large-scale planting undertaken across steep and challenging terrain.
Angela Parkin received a Highly Commended Award for overseeing the largest native planting project of the year, an extraordinary 59,000 native plants established on a single property.
This project represents far more than the impressive number of stems in the ground. Over time, the planting will help reduce sediment entering the harbour, protect the headwaters of tributaries flowing directly into the Kaipara Moana, and contribute to an almost contiguous corridor of indigenous habitat stretching from the hills down to the harbour. It also strengthens the collective efforts of neighbouring landowners who are restoring their own parts of the catchment.
Reflecting on the achievement, Angela shared:
“I feel it should be the landowners receiving the awards but am appreciative of the recognition.”
She went on to say:
“I only played a small part in bringing this project to life. Being able to support landowners’ aspirations for their land — knowing these efforts will create multiple benefits for the landscape and the communities who live here — brings me immense joy. That is the true reward for the work that I do.”
Both Angela and Katie, along with their colleague Hamish Stewart embody the spirit and purpose of KMR’s vision, supporting landowners to make meaningful, lasting improvements to the health of the harbour and the whenua that feeds it.
Their dedication, skill, and genuine passion for the people and places they work with continue to make a significant difference across the region.
If you’re interested in fencing, planting, or learning more about landowner grants available through KMR, our field advisors are here to help:
- Katie — katie@theforestbridgetrust.org.nz
- Angela — angela@theforestbridgetrust.org.nz
- Hamish — hamish@theforestbridgetrust.org.nz