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Forgotten Corners - Mondo Kopua
Forgotten Corners
New wine representative on landscape group
Mondo Kopua
SOPHIE PREECE
ONE OF Mondo Kopua’s two job titles is Kaitiaki, as guardian over Kono’s Awatere Valley vineyard, Whenua Awa. His care of the land - on a terrace above the Awatere River, in the shadow of Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku – has included collecting seed from the endemic plant species that once grew prolifically on the steep banks between river terrace and river flat.
The seeds are being raised by Morgans Road Nursery. When they’re ready to plant, the seedlings, including the Marlborough rock daisies and New Zealand lilac specific to the Awatere River’s edge, will be planted out at Whenua Awa (formerly known as Tohu). They will also be gifted to neighbours, Seddon School and a local conservation group, to ensure a stronger diversity and “land wellness” in the unique valley.
Mondo’s care of the land has also led him to become Wine Marlborough’s new representative on the Marlborough Landscape Group, which is focused on supporting landowners in amenity planting plans. Grape grower Willie Crosse represented the wine industry on the group for several years, and recently put out the call for someone in the industry to step in and take his place. “The wine industry needs a bit of a champion to make sure some of that money is allocated to vineyard plantings,” he said in the February 2021 Winepress.
In 2019 the group, which is facilitated by the Marlborough District Council, launched Greening Marlborough, to assist landowners with the establishment of native plantings on forgotten corners, riparian areas and along vineyard boundaries, offering funding and advice. Last year, the council launched Working for Nature/Mahi mō te Taiao, which combines the former Tui to Town and Greening Marlborough initiatives to increase plantings across the province. Mondo says he is looking forward to meeting wine industry members who have received support from the fund and learning about their projects, “in the hope they’ll share their thinking with others”.
He’d like to shine a light on small projects as well as large, because every piece of planting counts. “I am looking forward to getting out and meeting people and promoting work that’s out there.”
Mondo Kopua
Wine Marlborough is very pleased to have Mondo on the landscape group, says general manager Marcus Pickens. “He will add great perspectives from the wine industry to the group and also be able to help us find new examples of excellent work our members are doing so we can highlight it to others”. Marcus says the natural environment is a “hugely important” focus for Wine Marlborough and its members. “We have to do more and learn from others doing good work.”
Mondo says plantings at Whenua Awa are aligned with the cultural values of Wakatū, and are designed to complement, not hinder, the vineyard operation. “You have to be mindful about selecting the right plant for the right location and purpose or function.” For example, it’s important to maintain air flow in frost risk spots and to think of the practicality of machinery in the headlands, he says. And there’s room for more than just natives in planting plans, he says, noting that a recent ecological report on Whenua Awa found a “vast number” of the native white mistletoe being hosted by a stand of tree lucerne in the middle of a vineyard. “I do see value and merit, in some cases, in the use of exotic species.”
Seventy hectares of the 121ha Whenua Awa is planted in grapes, and while the vines are the primary focus, Mondo enjoys the “luxury” of being able to do more for the land and ecosystem on the areas not suitable for vines and grazing.
Taking on the role of Kaitiaki 18 months ago freed him up to focus on that side of the business more, as well as a wider company Whenua Ora (land wellness) project Wakatū has launched there. Now he’ll be digging into diversity beyond that Awatere Valley property, and hoping other growers choose the luxury of investing in their environment.
