The Wairau Valley
At the heart of Marlborough’s renowned wine region lies the Wairau Valley, where a braided river and underground aquifers nourish life across the plains. But this water system is under pressure. Climate change, land use, and increasing demand are placing stress on its flows, purity, and resilience.
In response, Whitehaven Wines committed to a bold vision: at The Springs, 55 hectares of vineyard would become part of a much larger 700-hectare regenerative landscape. The plan charts a path to restore wetlands, revive natural watercourses, and reforest the valley margins with native species - from the lowland mataī and tōtara forests to the subalpine slopes of mountain beech.
A Living Transect
Spanning 10 kilometres and rising from river to ridgeline, this ecological transect creates habitat for kōtare, kārearea, geckos, and invertebrates while supporting cleaner water and more resilient ecosystems. It becomes not just a place of production, but a biodiverse landscape that breathes life in every direction.
Design as Strategy
Our role was to translate this vision into a comprehensive design and engagement plan. The resulting journal outlines goals, principles, seasonal rhythms, planting palettes, and spatial plans, as well as a roadmap for implementation and shared ownership.
