Willow Vegetation for Managing River Edges
Posted on July 08, 2026
The art of balancing community expectations, cost, and politics in an environment of climate change.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ tool in the river management toolbox, particularly when it comes to balancing expectations from numerous stakeholders about what’s best. Policy, affordability, politics, and science all play a part.
The use of willows to manage river edges in the Bay of Plenty has proved key to balancing these expectations.
Depending on what side of the fence (or river) you sit on, willows can be either good or bad.
This webinar will address the perception and reality of using willows as frontline protection across the many dynamic rivers in the Bay of Plenty region.
Presenter: Tony Dunlop
Tony is the Area Engineer for Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
With over 45 years in the business, he’s been involved in policy development, community and iwi relations, asset management, infrastructure delivery and contract management – most of the time in his gumboots!
His passion is river edge protection and maintenance.
This combination of experience of passion for what he does, day in, day out has seen Tony become a regular speaker and advisor to river management practitioners in regional councils across the country.
Click here to watch the webinar video