Click for copy of the article in Forest and Bird Magazine Feb 07, on Clive's work at the Bush Block.....

Purchased by the Ata Rangi family in 2001, the 'BUSH BLOCK' is thriving and showing significant signs of recovery now that livestock have been excluded. The pest-trapping programme has dealt to a huge number of stoats, possums, rats, hedgehogs and wildcats while Clive's native seedlings, raised and nurtured in milk cartons until strong enough to plant out, now fill many of the edges and gaps. This peaceful and shady bolt-hole is just 15 minutes south of Martinborough and backs onto the Haurangi Forest Park. The Waihora stream runs through established native bush which covers just over 100 acres, roughly one third of the block. This area contains some rare and genetically valuable species and is now protected by a DOC (Department of Conservation) covenant, preventing it from ever being grazed or felled.

Six years ago, Jo Hansen, a DOC ranger friend of Clive's, discovered a significant stand of about 200 mature terrestrial rata on a ridge above the block. Rata, which is the possum's all-time favourite food, was previously believed to be virtually extinct in the Haurangis. These magnificent trees obviously survived the burn-offs of the late 1800's, but just why they have survived the ravages of introduced pests is not clear. With encouragement and advice from Project Crimson, Clive has taken some 600 cuttings from this source which are being grown up and planted back out at the Bush Block now and into the future. He has also raised 2,000 seedlings from seed collected from the stand (risking life and limb to climb into the canopy!). Many of these seedlings have already been planted at ten different sites throughout the Wairarapa.

Clive has also inspired neighbouring farmers to covenant stands of trees on their land, and together they've formed a conservation group called the Waihora Watch which collectively accounts for around 1,000 hectares. This area is heavily pest controlled with assistance from Wellington Regional Council and DOC, with humane traps for rats, wild cats, weasels, stoats and possums. A significant increase in native bird populations is the immediately obvious benefit.   

The association with Project Crimson and Clive's own work on native reforestation has been the inspiration for the introduction of our new young vines Pinot Noir, called simply: CRIMSON. Sales will support the on-going work of Project Crimson. Read more on the Project Crimson page of this website.

The ATA RANGI team won the SUPREME AWARD at the 2006 BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS for sustainability in all aspects of their business. They also won the HABITAT IMPROVEMENT AWARD for their work at the Bush Block. And in 2007, Ata Rangi was proud to take the WELLINGTON REGION CONSERVATION AWARD in the business category for "an outstanding contribution to conservation and for incorporating conservation outcomes in the business."