Corteva Grows Food Security ANZ

Corteva Agriscience is proud to support the Friends of Taihape Charitable Society in their efforts to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of Taihape's native reserves. In collaboration with PGG Wrightson Taihape, we have donated Versatill Powerflo herbicide to assist the society in controlling the invasive weed, Old Man's Beard, which threatens the ecological integrity of these vital areas.

Commitment to Community and Conservation

The Friends of Taihape Charitable Society is dedicated to maintaining the native reserves in Taihape, specifically focusing on Mt Stewart and the reserves along the Hautapu River, from Papakai to Memorial Park. Their mission is to ensure these beautiful spaces remain accessible for community enjoyment while preserving their ecological value. This includes ongoing projects aimed at controlling invasive species, which can suffocate native flora and disrupt local ecosystems.

Importance of Weed Control

Old Man's Beard is a particularly aggressive invasive weed that can outcompete native plants for resources. By donating Versatill Powerflo herbicide, Corteva aims to empower the Friends of Taihape to effectively manage this invasive species. This support not only facilitates immediate weed control efforts but also contributes to long-term ecological health in the reserves, ensuring that future generations can enjoy these natural spaces.

Collaborative Efforts for a Greener Future

The partnership between Corteva and Friends of Taihape exemplifies how community-driven initiatives can thrive with corporate support. The society is composed of dedicated volunteers who invest countless hours into maintaining trails, conducting pest trapping, and educating local youth about conservation practices. Notably, Joe Byford and Don Tantrum lead many of these efforts, fostering a sense of community stewardship among residents.

The society has undertaken significant projects, including:

Building Community Pedestrian Bridges: Enhancing access across the Hautapu River Parks with six newly designed bridges.

Upgrading Walking Tracks: Repairing and maintaining approximately 12 kilometers of walking tracks to improve accessibility.

Ongoing Weed Control: Implementing a sustained program to manage invasive species in critical areas.

Corteva Agriscience is honored to play a role in supporting the Friends of Taihape Charitable Society as they work tirelessly to protect and enhance the natural environment of Taihape. Our donation of Versatill Powerflo herbicide is just one part of our commitment to sustainable agriculture and community engagement. Together, we are making strides toward a healthier ecosystem that benefits both nature and the community at large.

For more information about our initiatives or how you can get involved, please contact Matthew Thomas at Friends of Taihape Charitable Society.

We are proud supporters of the Rural Support Trust and the fantastic work they do in our Rural Communities.

Corteva New Zealand were pleased to be able to donate a portable chiller trailer to help support the many events the Tairawhiti -East Coast branch holds for the Rural Communites in their area.

Pictured L-R: John van der Linden (Corteva Technical Specialist), Sam Toms (on behalf of Rural Support Trust) and Alysha Brick (Corteva Territory Manager).

Last season our Global Research Facility hosted two summer internships through the Callaghan Research Grant program.  This was an excellent opportunity for students to gain experience in field research and development, develop new skills and work with dedicated scientists.  The Corteva internship program caters for students who are keen to gain hands-on practical experience at a first class research facility.

A group of energetic employees participated in NZ’s national clean-up day, collecting rubbish from áreas surrounding the New Plymouth site.

We were very pleased to once again sponsor the Taranaki Science Fair. This year’s event featured over 1000 entries, setting a new record, the highest in the event’s 35 year history.  Entries were submitted by students from around 30 intermediate and secondary schools across the province.

Cupcakes baked by employees for sale in Cafeteria with proceeds going to the SPCA.  Employees also donated cat/dog food/litter/old towels - $NZ476 raised!