Broadview Farm.

Intergenerational action for biodiversity.

Broadview Farm is home to a mixed arable system including lamb fattening, dairy grazing and cropping. Located in Sheffield, the Wrights have taken a long-term view of land management — balancing food production with ecological restoration across their farm.

One of their key steps was retiring a corner block to establish a large-scale native planting, supported by the Environmental Management Fund and their own investment. Now, native birds and insects are returning. It’s a small shift with a big impact for the family; proof that thriving biodiversity and high-quality food production can exist together on the same land.

Native planting driving productivity and resilience.

Species have been carefully selected for their ecological value in local conditions, including swamp flax, harakeke; pātītī toitoi; kōhūhū; cabbage trees, tī kōuka; mānuka and kānuka. These native plants help reduce wind erosion, hold the soil in place and create rich habitats for birds and beneficial insects.

Below the surface, microbial activity enhances soil health by breaking down organic matter and supporting invertebrate populations, creating the foundation of a resilient ecosystem.

Since converting the farm to irrigation in 2017, the Wrights have also replaced pine Shelterbelts, providing essential shade and shelter that supports better animal welfare while also creating habitats for wildlife.

Practical steps to protect and regenerate biodiversity.

The return of birdsong to Broadview Farm is a good sign — but it hasn’t happened by planting alone. The Wright family has taken a staged, practical approach: establishing native species suited to local conditions, mulching to suppress weeds and enrich the soil, and implementing targeted predator control to protect vulnerable plants and nesting birds. By incorporating these steps into the dayto-day farming, they’re creating a safer, more resilient environment where native wildlife can return and thrive.

Key outcomes.

• Ecological planting creating habitat and improving soil structures.
• Better stock welfare through native shade and shelter.
• Ongoing predator control supporting the return of native species.