Restoration

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We are committed to supporting the long-term ecosystem health and sustainability of the unique Marlborough Sounds environment through active restoration and enhancement plans.

Habitat restoration will remain a core part of environmental work, with future opportunities identified through ecological assessments and engagement with local partners. The restoration focus supports outcomes that benefit the environment and the industries and communities that depend on it.

Shakespeare Bay Restoration Project

The Shakespeare Bay Restoration Project aims to restore indigenous vegetation on land previously occupied by exotic plantation forest.

This project will span across 26.5 hectares over a number of years and will involve critical plant pest management, animal pest control, assisted natural revegetation and native seedlings replanting.

Project objectives

Foster biodiversity of the Shakespeare Bay forest block through planting and assisting natural revegetation
Eradicate invasive weed species and prevent their spread
Reduce pest animal effects on indigenous flora and fauna.
Enhance ecosystem services and create connectivity between habitats
Foster conservation education and connect communities with their local environments
Mitigate climate change impacts through carbon sequestration
Improve soil retention and water management to protect marine environments

Our plant species have been specifically chosen as pioneer species, that form the foundation of a native forest for future years. The seeds of our plants were sourced locally from the DOC land that surrounds the property, giving the seedlings the best chance at survival through adaption to local conditions.

Tōtaranui / Queen Charlotte Sound Kelp Restoration Project

Since May 2022, researchers from the University of Auckland, in partnership with Port Marlborough, Te Ātiawa and Marlborough District Council, have been trialling kina removal at four sites across Tōtaranui.

The aim is to understand whether kina removal can support the return of healthy kelp and rimurimu (seaweed) forests.Results show strong signs of natural kelp recovery, especially at Motutara Island, where over 200 giant kelp plants (Macrocystis pyrifera) were recorded, along with several other species that had previously been absent. Encouraging changes were also observed at the Meretoto and Tahuahua sites, including the return of species like Ecklonia radiata and Carpophyllum flexuosum.

Importantly, nearby control sites where kina were not removed showed no change, reinforcing the link between kina density and kelp loss. These findings highlight the potential of kina management as a tool to support ecosystem recovery in coastal areas.

Port Marlborough’s support reflects our commitment to environmental restoration and being a good partner in the places we operate. We are proud to back collaborative research that can provide evidence-based new ways of restoring balance to our marine environments.

Dr Nick Shears joined us for a public webinar, which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/29sZ17vWxAI