Region: Bay of Plenty

Rick Burke, together with wife Jan Loney, farms sheep and beef on Pukekauri Farm in the Bay of Plenty. Over the last 25 years they have worked through a comprehensive Land Environmental Plan with the help of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. They challenged themselves to manage their 300ha within the ecosystem health limits of the land use capability. This has meant focusing on farm profitability whilst fencing off waterways and critical source areas, riparian planting and restoring wetlands. Along with dramatically improving fresh water quality and enhanced native biodiversity, they’ve reduced greenhouse gas emissions to a point where now the farm is carbon neutral. unity, excellence, visionary leadership and cultural respect. Paul's work is a testament to his belief in the power of rural communities to shape their own sustainable future.