Work begins next month on a major conservation project in Hawke's Bay, worth six million dollars.

The "Te Matau a Maui' project focuses on 26,000 hectares of land between Waimarama and Havelock North.

Funding's come from the Aotearoa Foundation, DOC, the Regional Council, Landcare Research and Cape Sanctuary.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council chair Fenton Wilson says it will be a win-win for farmers and environmentalists.