In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future, Katie talks with North Canterbury farmer Ben Ensor, chair of the Hurunui District Landcare Group, about how farmer‑led catchment groups are helping rural communities make environmental change with confidence.

Drawing on a decade of hands‑on experience, Ben explains the role of Catchment Communities Aotearoa in connecting more than 200 catchment groups nationwide, sharing knowledge, and giving farmers a stronger collective voice.

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Show Notes:

In this episode, Katie speaks with North Canterbury farmer, and chair of the Hurunui District Landcare Group, Ben Ensor, about the role of catchment groups and the work of Catchment Communities Aotearoa (CCA).

Ben shares insights from his experience farming in Cheviot and his involvement in catchment groups over the past decade. The conversation explores how farmer-led collaboration is helping rural communities respond to environmental expectations, build confidence, and create meaningful change on the ground.

Farming in North Canterbury

Ben farms 1,400 hectares of hill country in Cheviot with his wife and daughter. Their sheep and beef operation runs Quarter-bred ewes and Angus cattle, with additional irrigated finishing land for livestock. While the farm is busy producing quality meat and livestock, Ben has also spent the past ten years heavily involved in catchment group initiatives that support environmental improvements and farmer collaboration.

How Catchment Groups Began

Ben’s involvement began with the Hurunui District Landcare Group, which formed around a decade ago in response to major regulatory changes affecting local farmers. Those changes highlighted the need for farmers to have a stronger voice in environmental discussions and policy decisions.

Catchment groups provided a platform for farmers to share their stories, communicate the good work already happening on farms, and better understand their environmental impacts. Over time, similar groups formed across New Zealand, leading to the creation of Catchment Communities Aotearoa to represent them nationally.

What Catchment Communities Aotearoa Does

CCA acts as a national body connecting catchment groups and giving them a stronger collective voice. Today the organisation represents around 220 catchment groups covering approximately 12 million hectares across New Zealand.

Rather than directing how individual groups operate, CCA focuses on supporting them through coordination, sharing resources, and helping connect communities facing similar challenges. This national platform also allows catchment groups to engage more effectively with government, regional councils, and other stakeholders.

Supporting Farmers and Building Confidence

One of the biggest impacts of catchment groups has been improving farmer confidence. Over recent years, farmers have faced increasing environmental regulation, social pressure, and uncertainty about what changes were required on their farms.

Catchment groups bring communities together to better understand environmental expectations, explore solutions, and support each other through change. This collaborative approach helps farmers take practical action such as improving riparian management, planting, fencing waterways, or establishing wetlands.

While environmental improvements like water quality take time to measure, Ben says the visible progress in on-farm actions and community engagement has already been significant.

Looking Ahead for Catchment Groups

Catchment groups have grown rapidly, but they are entering a new phase. Some government funding that helped establish groups during the COVID recovery period is reducing, meaning groups must adapt to operate with more sustainable funding models.

Despite these challenges, Ben believes catchment groups remain in a strong position because they are built on community leadership. Their grassroots approach ensures solutions are locally relevant and widely supported.

Key Takeaway

For Ben, success in the coming years will mean catchment groups being recognised as trusted partners in environmental improvement. By empowering farmers and communities to work together, catchment groups have the potential to deliver lasting environmental progress while maintaining strong, resilient farming businesses.