Private land makes up 70% of New Zealand, yet only fraction of it is protected for conservation. Halting the decline of indigenous biodiversity hinges on the critical protection of ecosystems found on private land.

Recognising the crucial role of private land in conservation, the Queen Elizabeth National Trust (QEII) partners with willing landowners to establish covenants on privately-owned land. Since 1977, these voluntary agreements have protected more than 187,202 hectares of New Zealand land.

In November 2015, New Zealand Rural Land Company (NZRLC) entered into an agreement with QEII at its Browns Farm in Southland to preserve the farm’s natural and cultural heritage in perpetuity.

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QEII covenants are legally binding agreements with a set of mandatory requirements to promote the health of the protected land. Entered voluntarily, covenants are a remarkable act of goodwill by landowners who give up some of their private property rights to leave a legacy for the future.

What sets covenants apart from other protection agreements is their enduring impact, binding not just the current landowner but all future owners. This commitment ensures the special features of the land will remain for future generations, contributing to a growing network of over 5,000 QEII protected areas across 180,000 hectares of private land.

After entering a covenant, QEII field officers conduct regular visits and support landowners with fencing, management and specialist advice. Typically, landowners are required to maintain fences around the boundaries of the protected area and control certain weed and pest species. There are also usually restrictions on activities within the area, like grazing, removing native species, diverting water from wetlands and construction.

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The New Zealand Rural Land Company (NZRLC) and QEII entered into a covenant to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of its Browns Farm. Nestled in the picturesque Southland region, this agreement outlines NZRLC’s obligations to preserve Browns Farm’s indigenous flora and fauna, protect the scenic beauty of the bush and ensure the preservation and maintenance of the stream ecosystem, water quality and its associated riparian strip.

NZRLC Co-Founder and NZRLM Director Richard Milsom said the main motivation for entering a covenant with QEII was to ensure that Browns Farm is protected forever.

“As stewards of New Zealand’s high-quality rural land, we bear the responsibility of ensuring the enduring value of our land. Each of our pastoral farms has an environmental plan, with a set of actions that will, over time, improve the quality and value of our properties. The QEII covenant at our Browns Farm extends this commitment by demonstrating that we are safeguarding this land not just for now, but for all future generations,” said Milsom.

In a meeting in July 2023, QEII and NZRLC set plans in motion to fortify the farm’s boundaries with improved fencing, implement upgraded waste management protocols, heighten pest control measures to protect the indigenous ecosystem, and establish captivating walking trails within the native forest areas.

“Browns Farm boasts significant biodiversity in its forest and is enjoyed by farm staff, visitors and people passing by. We are dedicated to preserving the landscape of the farm through enhanced farm management and the creation of walking trails through the native bush, allowing more people to appreciate the beauty of our native bush.”