No quick fix for erosion, land use problem

Roger Handford

Opinion

In reply to those who have criticised my observations regarding pine trees, I would repeat it is land use practices which are to blame for our accelerated erosion problems and the associated issues of wood debris.

When people cleared the land for animals to graze, or to grow crops, they were ignorant of the specific geology and soil issues of the region.

The problems soon became apparent, but in looking for answers, the focus remained on enabling productive land use to continue.

When the scale of the erosion problem became too big to ignore, politicians and land use groups were forced to admit something had to be done.

This culminated in the East Coast Forestry Project.

As a senior journalist I sat through many meetings where the issues were fought — witness to conflict between landowners, business interests, local and central policymakers.

Sadly the scheme and its intentions were compromised by politics and commercial interests.

Throughout, those like Dr Mike Marden and the East Cape Catchment Board worked valiantly to promote understanding of the problem, and the need for funding and schemes to address gully erosion, the loss of soil, siltation and downstream effects such as increased damage from flooding and so on.

I have the utmost respect for Mike and the many others who have given lifelong work and continue to speak out on these issues.

To Manu Caddie — I was interviewing Mike when you were a teenager, helping to push the message out on Radio New Zealand, and programmes like Morning Report.

I have worked through many events such as the Ngatapa Rainstorm, Cyclone Bola and so on, as well as covering local and central decision-making, so I am well aware of what this district and its people have endured.

You and other commentators are relative newcomers to the scene.

For those at the forefront of addressing the worst eroding land, promoting on-farm schemes, pole planting, gully debris dams and other work was a constant uphill battle — with funding always having to be fought for, against resistance from various sectors and politicians indifferent to the region’s problems.

For the record, I too would like to see much of Papatuanuku “recloaked” — but it must be remembered that willows, poplars and pines were chosen as the first “assault troops” because of their hardiness, speed of growth and suitability for quickly controlling land slippage.

Many other “weed” species can also serve to re-establish a foothold towards control and recovery.

With the knowledge we have gained, we now have more science and practical ability to tackle the erosion and land use problem.

But I am under no illusion that there can be a quick fix.

It will require many years of continuous guaranteed commitment — and help for sectors to transition out of inappropriate land use.