Latest News
Webinar - Explore the NZPWRT Strategy 2026-36
Posted on July 08, 2026Please put in your diaries - Friday 17 July @12-1pm The NZ Poplar and Willow Research Trust invites you to join us for a special webinar introducing our Strategy 202 Continue reading
Newsletter No. 10 June 2026
Posted on June 27, 2026
Cracker of a frost this morning here in the Manawatu, no wind but not quite cloudless blue skies. The autumn colours have pretty much faded as we hunker down for winter. Poplar and willows have or are in the process of loosing their leaves and Continue reading
Newsletter No. 9 April 2026
Posted on April 30, 2026
April has practically been and gone. The change in the season is being felt and the leaves are turning their autumn colours on for show. We have had a mix bag of weather across the country. April is a perfect time, if you haven’t already, thought about Continue reading
Newsletter No. 8 December 2025
Posted on December 16, 2025
Hard to believe another year has whizzed by. 2025 has been a year marked with climate volatility and extremes. High-intensity rainfall events continue, this year hitting Tasman. Poplar and willow remain irreplaceable for critical river and erosion cont Continue reading
Features
Factsheet 8: Is Cabbage Tree a Soil Conservation Species?
Cabbage trees dense root system helps stop soil erosion on steep slopes and because the tolerate wet soil, they are a useful species for planting along stream banks.
The NZ Farm Pole Planting Guide
A four-part guide to establishing your own pole nursery. Covers planning, management, and pests and diseases.
Poplars and willows as bioengineering solutions – learnings from Cyclone Gabrielle
Read the report from a survey of the bioengineering works (primarily mature willows and poplar trees) on the Tūtaekurī River within the Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme and the Te Ārai River from Gisborne City water intake to its integration into the Waipoua Flood Protection Scheme, conducted 13 months after Cyclone Gabrielle.
Check out our new newsletters
Recently we started a new series of newsletters. Our focus is to get four newsletters out to you all that has a cross-section of information. We are always open to feedback, so let us know what you liked - what do you want to see more of or what you’d like to see less of. Enjoy the read.
Let's stop erosion!
Retaining fertile soil on the land is in the interests of all New Zealand. Without tree protection hills fall apart in severe rain storms. Poplars and willows planted for erosion reduction stabilise our pastoral hill country, increase water storage, reduce sediment transfer, improve water quality, benefit stock and enhance the farm environment.
There are poplars and willows to suit each region and location.
Working in close association with regional authorities and industry partners, NZPWRT develops adaptable planting materials (poplar & willow), provides technical support and promotional information to assist landowners to reduce soil erosion, lower sediment transfer off farm, and improve water quality.