42 - From Flock to Forest: Sheep-led Kānuka Regeneration

Exotic pasture grasses are often a major barrier to native forest species getting established naturally. In this episode I’ve come to Te Whenua Ora on Banks Peninsula to find out how sheep grazing can help kanuka (Kunzea ericoides) get established through exotic grass to kickstart the forest succession process. Te Whenua Ora is a 536 ha conservation project near Little River comprising pasture, damp south-facing gullies, original forest remnants and drier north-facing slopes. In this episode, recorded in July 2026, I talk to environmental science PhD student Maia Gerard about the effects of sheep grazing on Te Whenua Ora in the transition from pasture to native forest. Many thanks to Pōhatu penguins for kindly sponsoring this episode (www.pohatu.co.nz). If you loved this episode and would like to Keep Maureen Going please join my Facebook Page Rewilding in Action or subscribe to my fortnightly newsletter at rewildinginaction@gmail.com This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz