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Since 2003, teams of scientists from NIWA, Landcare, Plant and Food Research, and Scion have worked on three separate projects (for different locations and clients) with the goal of identifying the potential suitability of land for growing specific crops or tree species based on climatic, soils and topographic information. The projects were:
Western Kaipara and Hokianga: Crops investigated were peanut, Maori potato, manuka (for oil), banana, mate tea, avocado, cherimoya, fig, blueberry, hydrangea.
Tararua District: Crops investigated were feijoa, gevuina, ginseng, golden seal, hazelnut, passionfruit, rootstock grapes, saffron, truffles, valerian.
Gisborne District: Tree species investigated were blackwood, douglas-fir, eucalyptus fastigata, cupressus lusitanica, manuka, redwood.
Each project employed the same basic assessment methodology with the Gisborne District project also including a climate change analysis. Maps from these projects have been used in locally-run promotional programmes designed to provide public-good information and stimulate economic development.
The standardised methodology means similar land-use assessments (for any conceivable crop or tree species – given the availability of growth requirement information) can be made for any region in New Zealand. |