“The main reason is to protect the land from slipping,” he said.
“After seeing Cyclone Gabrielle, it definitely confirmed that it needed to be done.”
Cyclone Gabrielle caused slips across the property.
Early mapping suggested about 170ha had moved, although Read-Jones said the affected area was closer to 70ha once the land settled and grass returned.
Much of the vulnerable parts of the farm have shallow soil over solid rock, with slips typically shallow and gully erosion occurring near drainage lines.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s senior land management adviser Colin Stace said it wasn’t just about planting more poles.
“It is about putting the right pole in the right place, so it has the best chance of doing its job.”
Since 2020, the farm has planted 1530 poplar and willow poles, all bought from the council’s Allen Rd nursery.
Stace said erosion-control planting was a long-term investment, taking about two years to establish and seven to eight years for the full benefits to be realised.
“You do not get the full benefit overnight, but once those root systems are well established, they become part of the farm’s long-term protection.”
The farm has missed two seasons because of Covid and Cyclone Gabrielle, but Read-Jones said the programme had become more targeted each year.
“We have learned a lot from the early years experimenting with the different varieties.”
Some varieties were not suited to windy or dry sites, and cattle damaged the lighter poles.
“We’ve learned from that, and now we use the varieties suitable for our farm conditions.”
About 252,000 hectares of Hawke’s Bay hill country is considered high risk, and pole planting can reduce erosion by up to 80%.
At Tarawera Station, the latest poles will be helicoptered into position on steep hill country – a cost covered by the farm – before being spread out for planting.
Read-Jones said dropping bundles close to planting sites meant contractors weren’t walking 600 or 700m with heavy poles and were more able to put them where planned.
He said the support from the council had been invaluable.
“Colin has helped us with a farm plan and advice on what varieties to use and where to plant them.
“That means I pass the right information to the contractors, and it has been of much help to us.”