HDLG member services have changed for 2026/27. View the Committee Update and current service information.

View the service update

How We Can Help

Our Catchment Farm Advisors are here to support farmers in the Hurunui

The Hurunui District Landcare Group catchment farm advisors are here to support our members farming operations with expert advice and services. As the landscape of farming regulations becomes increasingly complex, our team provides guidance and tools to help our farmers navigate environmental compliance smoothly.

HDLG Member Services

HDLG is prioritising the services that deliver the greatest collective value to members. Core services are fully funded within available HDLG funding. Other work may be delivered where a major partner funds an activity with wider catchment benefit. Selected specialist farm-business services are also available separately through Rural Consulting Limited on a discounted user-pays basis.

Fully funded baseline

Core collective value

  • Farmer support
  • FEP creation or adaptation
  • Understanding regulation – general phone and email enquiries
  • Farm mapping
  • Stream health assessments
  • Biodiversity support
  • Advocacy – Committee-agreed areas
  • Funding applications and project development
  • Subgroup facilitation and support
  • Access to existing local water-quality data
Two individuals interacting by a rocky stream or river, possibly assessing the environment.

Farm Environment Plans (FEPs)

Regulatory changes can be challenging to navigate. We'll help you prepare a Farm Environment Plan to use as your tool to help you identify the environmental risks on your farm and make plans to manage and mitigate those risks. Your plan will be unique to your farm and will consider the type of farming, operational practices and local environment relevant to you.

Outdoor landscape of Hurunui agricultural land.

Environmental Regulation Advice

Our Catchment Farm Advisors can help with general phone and email enquiries about environmental and regulatory requirements in the Hurunui District. Detailed resource-consent applications or specialist compliance work sit outside the funded baseline and may be delivered separately on a user-pays basis.

Farm mapping materials for Hurunui farms.

Farm Mapping

We can assist you with developing and/or updating farm maps, providing tear-off pads, laminated maps and whiteboards.

Stream Health Assessments

We can help you get started with stream health assessments and point you to the right tools and guidance. New specialist water-quality sampling or eDNA sampling is not included as a funded HDLG service – it is available separately on a user-pays basis (see the Rural Consulting member offer below).

Water quality data records.

Water Quality Data

Funded water quality data means access to, and assistance with, existing local data already held by or available to HDLG. We'll help you locate the relevant data and understand what it means for your farm. New sampling is a separate user-pays service.

Funding Applications and Project Development

We can assist you with funding applications and project development for group and individual farm projects.

Partner-funded services

Delivered where a major partner funds work that provides a wider catchment benefit.

Major partners

  • Hurunui District Council
  • Environment Canterbury
  • Ministry for Primary Industries
  • Hurunui Biodiversity Trust

Examples may include

  • Expert speakers and workshops
  • Research and catchment science
  • Catchment-wide or subgroup initiatives

Additional member offer – Rural Consulting Limited

Rural Consulting Limited offers selected services directly to HDLG members on a user-pays basis at a 10% discount on its commercial hourly rate.

  • Winter grazing plans
  • FEP and NZFAP Plus audit preparation
  • NZFAP Plus accreditation support
  • Emissions Trading Scheme initial assessments
  • Water-quality sampling, including eDNA
  • Bucket testing
  • Overseer nutrient budgets
  • Resource consent applications