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Story: Farming and the environment

Farm wetlands

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Farm wetlands

It is becoming more popular to keep some parts of a farm as wetland areas. These areas filter out nutrients in run-off water and act as a sponge, retaining water in dry weather. Wetlands should be fenced to keep out grazing stock, but may be used to provide extra feed in prolonged dry weather. They are often planted with native shrubs and trees.

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New Zealand Farm Environment Award Trust

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How to cite this page

Julia Haggerty and Hugh Campbell, Farming and the environment – Effects on soil and water, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/17902/farm-wetlands (accessed 5 June 2026).

Story by Julia Haggerty and Hugh Campbell, published 1 March 2009.