Pirinoa farmers rewarded

A South Wairarapa husband and wife who have run an organic farm for 21 years have scooped an illustrious regional environmental award.

Heather and Ian Atkinson, of Pirinoa were awarded the Landowners' Conservation Award at the Encore Awards held in Wellington on Wednesday night.

Co-hosted by the Department of Conservation, Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Wellington Hawke's Bay Conservation Board, the awards reward people who go the extra mile to restore, protect and enhance nature and history, and enable others to enjoy it.

Mrs Atkinson said after 21 years of running an organic mixed pastoral farm it was great to have their message recognised. "The motivation going into the award was to try to showcase the good job that organic farmers are doing in caring for the environment."

She said they had been adding to the biodiversity of their 240ha farm, extending a QEII covenant, removing pines, extensively planting native species, and controlling animal pests. "For us it just seems logical. It's about pro-active management ... and we don't know how to do it any other way, really."

The Atkinson's were praised by judges for their work encouraging locals and people from further afield to get involved in restoration efforts through field-day events, planting days and partnerships on sustainable land use. They also recently established the Pirinoa Biodiversity Group, through which local landowners encourage and support biodiversity efforts.

Other Wairarapa mentions on the night included veterinarian John McLaren and winemaker Clive Paton.

Mr McLaren, of Masterton's Animal Hospital, was highly commended for his work helping the recovery and survival of native birds and other native species, while Mr Paton was recommended for improving the ecological values of his Ata Rangi vineyard, the Ata Rangi Bush Block and the Aorangi Mountains, and encouraging his neighbours to do likewise.