We're absolutely thrilled to announce that Higgenz Farm's 2026 "Connect the Dots" restoration project is officially underway! After months of planning, designing, and coordinating, we're ready to plant - and we have fantastic support to thank for making it happen, starting with Tasman District Council.
A Big Thank You to Tasman District Council
We're delighted to announce that TDC has kindly provided 120 native plants to kick off our 2026 restoration project. This generous contribution represents genuine commitment to environmental restoration and hill country erosion control across the Tasman region.
Behind TDC's support for private land conservation is Helen Forsey, the Tasman District Council's Catchment Advisor and a passionate conservationist herself. Helen, we can't thank you enough for your support, expertise, and genuine passion for conservation in the Tasman region. Your backing of this project means the world to us.
What is "Connect the Dots"?
The goal is to create wildlife corridors linking our existing restored areas with new plantings, expanding our protected habitat network. Each planting zone is carefully positioned to create connections - quite literally, connecting the dots across the landscape.
These 120 TDC plants are the critical first step, providing pioneer species that will establish the backbone for the broader restoration on Higgenz Farm. Together with the native plants we've grown from seed, they'll create an integrated ecosystem that benefits native wildlife, erosion control, water quality, and regional biodiversity goals.
Kanuka seedlings ready for planting
Our Own Native Champions: Totara and More From Seed
While grateful for TDC's contribution, we're equally proud of what we've grown ourselves. In 2024, we began an ambitious seed propagation project using locally-collected seed - including seed from our own farm.
Today, we have:
- 45 totara seedlings
- 17 fuchsia (korokio)
- 7 ribbonwood
- A large number of kanuka
This year, 10 of our totara are large enough to plant out - reaching a size that will give them the best chance of establishing successfully. These represent over a year of careful watering, nurturing, and watching them grow from tiny seeds.
Totara (Podocarpus totara) are among our most impressive native trees - long-lived, strong, and incredibly important to forest ecosystems. They're also culturally significant for Maori and support a rich community of native wildlife. These seedlings represent hours of dedicated care, and we're proud to be including them in Phase 2 of our restoration.
Nursery-grown seedlings, ready to leave the pots behind
The Big Day: 8th July Plant Pickup
8th July was our plant pickup day! Our 120 TDC plants and the 10 totara we've grown from seed arrived together, ready to go into the "Connect the Dots" area.
Plants, stakes, and covers staged and ready to go
This was the moment it all became real - and the plants are now in the ground, taking their place in the corridor that will link our restored areas together.
The Connect the Dots planting area, freshly planted