Trees for the Wright Reasons helps build a forest

Hundreds of years ago, these soaring hills and deep gullies, making up part of the Matemateaonga Range, were home to rata, manuka, rimu, and beech trees. Their dense canopies shaded the fern-filled bush to create a lush landscape for birds such as kiwi, kererū, pīwakawaka, and ruru to thrive. In the 19th and 20th centuries, radiata pine forestry and farmland replaced the native bush. Though pockets remain, much of the birdlife calling this area home have disappeared.

In 2013, Miranda Wells, her partner, Daryl Egarr, and her brother Bjorn Doherty, bought a bit of this land as a weekend hunting spot. But the discovery of wild kiwi changed the trio forever and revolutionised their vision for their land: an incredible conservation vision and mission to restore this land as it was— a native bird food forest and biodiversity corridor.

Growing up in a rural setting near Nelson, Miranda often went hunting in the bush with her father. 

“My dad was passionate about bush robins (toutouwai), and that passion stays in your blood.”

Soon after buying the back country property, around 45-minutes from Stratford, Miranda and Daryl discovered small holes in the earth made by kiwi using their beaks to search for food.
Endemic to New Zealand, kiwi are a national taonga but also endangered. From introduced predators to habitat loss or modification, all five kiwi species are under threat. Without predator control programmes, populations of wild kiwi will continue to decline.

“We did not know kiwi lived here, but once we did, we were determined for them to thrive,” she explains.

Together, Miranda, Daryl, and Bjorn formed the 800 Charitable Trust—named for the 888-acre block of land—with the mission of protecting Aotearoa’s native species. Their conservation project takes a two-pronged approach: trapping pests and planting native trees to restore these unique habitats. The initial 888 acres has more than quadrupled, into more than 4,000 acres of conservation land through the conversion of marginal farmland and former forestry blocks.

“Local iwi, fellow conservation groups, like Predator Free 2050, Trees That Count, Taranaki Kiwi Trust, and Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust, and local government, South Taranaki Council, Stratford Council, have been instrumental in offering funding and support.”

However, it was in 2020 when the Jobs for Nature programme launched, providing funding for two full-time Rangers, that supercharged the project.
“Our two Rangers, a father and son team, made a massive difference. From large-scale planting with over 12,000 trees to trapping and species monitoring, Jobs for Nature is when things really escalated,” says Miranda.

Though, it is not just conservation groups and council jumping at the chance to contribute to the trust’s mission. Businesses like Air New Zealand, Westpac, Contact Energy, and PGG Wrightson have hosted planting days and offered financial support. Even King Charles III helped, in a roundabout way.

“The Government donated a million dollars to Trees that Count to celebrate the King’s Coronation. Working with the Department of Conservation and local organisations, they planted more than 100,000 native trees. We were given Taranaki’s entire allotment, all 7,000 trees, which is a huge honour,” she says.

“Before any natives go in the ground, we use a helicopter to apply a specialised tank of Nufarm herbicide to target the pampas, reseeded pine, and honeysuckle,” explains Richard.

This spring marks the third year Nufarm has worked on this project.

“Given the scale of agrichemicals needed, you can imagine Miranda and her team easily earn the seedling packs,” Richard says.

Many farmers in the area donate their allotment of seed packs.

“Knowing the incredible work the 800 Trust is doing for the kiwi and environment, many of our customers have happily donated their Trees for the Wright Reasons to be planted here,” Scott says as he stamps his foot on the soil, securing the bamboo pole next to the new plant.