If you think Marlborough is just cellar doors and vineyard picnics, let us introduce you to the wild East Coast — a rugged run of shoreline from Marfells Beach to the Waima/Ure River, where seabirds nest on the foreshore, craggy bluffs glow in late light, and the Pacific stretches on forever.

But here’s the thing: our coast isn’t just stunning. It’s vulnerable. Protecting this stretch of New Zealand coastline is important to George and The Better Half Wine team,  and every visitor can help protect these coastlines and make an important contribution — whether they’re hikers, dog‑walkers, divers – or sunset‑chasers with a wine glass in hand.

Today we’re breaking it down into simple, practical ways you can help – it’s easy wins for you, and huge wins for our wildlife.

New Zealand’s East Coast, especially the wild stretches of Marlborough, is a hotspot for ground‑nesting shorebirds. The stars of the show include:

• Banded dotterel — delicate, perfectly camouflaged, and very good at pretending to have a broken wing to lure you away from a nest you can’t see. They nest right on the sand and shingle.
• Variable oystercatcher / tōrea pango — black plumage, bright orange bill, often patrolling the tide line. (They’re bold, and we love them.)
• Black‑fronted tern / tarapirohe — a graceful, endangered river‑nesting tern that forages along the coast; ECPG championed it in Bird of the Year 2025 to raise awareness.

Why the extra care? Because nesting season (roughly August–February) is a tough time to be a shorebird: cats, hedgehogs, stoats, off‑leash dogs, and beach vehicles can turn a good season into a disaster. Many of these birds nest right on the beach: tiny scrapes in the shingle, totally invisible to the untrained eye. That means we all have to take extra care when visiting our coastline.

• Learn more about local native birdlife here.
• Learn about the wider context on threats and protection here.

Knowing how to protect New Zealand coastlines means understanding that every small behaviour change helps these species survive.

WHO IS PROTECTING MARLBOROUGH’S COASTLINE?

Here’s how you can protect New Zealand coastlines without making big changes — just be conscious of these five points on your next beach outing.

3. LEAVE VEHICLES OFF THE BEACH

Tide lines are wildlife motorways. Nesting zones are impossible to see from a vehicle. And wheel ruts trap tiny chicks.If you must drive beach access routes, stick to designated zones and watch for red‑zone restrictions — they’re there to save lives.

If a bird starts flapping, shrieking, or pretending to be injured — watch out! You’ve just walked too close to a nest. Back away slowly and give them the space they’re begging for. This is Coastal Guardian 101.

5. SUPPORT LOCAL CONSERVATION GROUPS

Groups like the East Coast Protection Group (ECPG) are doing heroic, hands-on  work with predator trapping, weed control, public education, and wildlife monitoring. Liking their posts, joining a planting day, donating, or simply respecting their signage is a genuine way to help.

HOW WINE FITS THIS STORY

At The Better Half Wines, we work, play, and unwind along the same coastlines we’re talking about here. That’s why we support conservation initiatives and encourage people to learn how to protect New Zealand coastlines — because these places shape our wines, our lifestyle, and the landscape we love .If you’re exploring the Marlborough coast, our favourites to bring along (responsibly) are:

• The Better Half Sauvignon Blanc — bright, crisp, perfect with salty sea breeze.
• The Better Half Pinot Noir — smooth, silky, ideal for fireside evenings after a long walk.
• Or explore the full range here.

Just remember to pack out everything you pack in — be a tidy kiwi!

BEING A COASTAL GUARDIAN ISN’T COMPLICATED

It’s not about perfection. It’s about paying attention.

It’s about knowing how to protect New Zealand coastlines in small but meaningful ways: where you walk, where your dog walks, how you drive, and how you interact with an environment that’s older, wilder, and more vulnerable than we sometimes realise. If everyone took one small step the next time they visited the coast, we’d see an enormous difference — for kiwi, for seabirds, and for the breathtaking beaches we’re so lucky to call home. Here’s to protecting the coast — and raising a glass to it, too.