There are plenty of organisations and books that offer practical advice on doing a wetland restoration project. Some nurseries specialise in supplying native plants, and can help with advice as well as providing plants. This page also has some suggestions of other organisations that may be of help.
Environment Canterbury
Contact us for practical advice on wetland restoration and pest control, and to find out if you require a resource consent for your planned activities.
Environment Canterbury staff can also help you start a Resource Management Coordination group in your area for community involvement in conservation projects. Find out more about the "landcare" concept.
Your project may qualify for funding or waiving of consent fees through Environment Canterbury's Environment Enhancement Fund.
District and City Councils
District Councils support voluntary protection measures and may offer some form of rates relief or other incentive for fencing costs and protection initiatives. Contact your local council.
Christchurch City Council has produced an excellent streamside planting guide that is also relevant for some freshwater wetlands.
Lottery Grants Board
The Board offers funds to a wide range of non-profit groups. Find out more about the board on the Department of Internal Affairs website.
Or contact the Board at:
PO Box 805
Wellington 6140
Phone 0800-824-824
Department of Conservation
Department of Conservation staff can provide great information on wetland plants and animals, and general wetland restoration advice.
Contact the Canterbury Conservancy Office
Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society
This is a conservation group whose aim is the preservation and protection of our native plants, animals and natural features. The society is a valuable contact point in the community, working closely with landowners on a range of projects. Check out the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society website.
New Zealand Ecological Restoration Network (NZERN)
NZERN is a non-profit, community-driven, membership-based organisation dedicated to sharing knowledge and experiences about ecological restoration. Within Canterbury, NZERN members are associated with wetland restoration projects at Travis Swamp and Bexley Wetland. A useful tool contained within the NZERN website is "Planterguide", providing native plant species lists for the various soil types and ecological regions of New Zealand.
Fish and Game Council
The Council provides strong support and experience in constructing and enhancing wetlands and farm ponds for game-bird habitat. They also enter into protection covenants. The Fish and Game website has plenty of information on its wetland pages.
- the Nelson/Marlborough regional office (covers Kaikoura District) is at 66-74 Champion Road, Stoke, Nelson, phone 03-544-6382
- the North Canterbury regional office is at 3 Horatio Street, Christchurch, phone 03 366 9191
- Central South Island region office is at 32 Richard Pearse Drive, Temuka, phone 03 615 8400
Work and Income New Zealand
Work and Income New Zealand run Task Force Green and Community Task Force, two subsidised work schemes which employ workers for non-profit projects within the local community. Contact your nearest office for details.
Conservation Corps
The practical component of this training course may be incorporated into your conservation project if it is under a QEII covenant.
Waihora Ellesmere Trust (W.E.T.)
Waihora Ellesmere Trust (W.E.T.) was formed in 2003, after two years of extensive community involvement. W.E.T. works on three fronts: actively restoring the ecosystem through riparian and wetland restoration; hosting field trips and seminars to educate the public about Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere; and liaison work with statutory agencies who manage the lake and its catchment. Find out more on the W.E.T. website.
PO Box 198, Tai Tapu 7645.
Phone: 03 353 9712
e-mail: admin@wet.org.nz
Ducks Unlimited
A non-profit, voluntary organisation dedicated to the protection, restoration and development of wetlands. They have expertise in conserving endangered waterfowl and nest box construction. They produce a regular newsletter and have a website.
PO Box 9795, Newmarket, Auckland 1149, phone 021-925-512.
Queen Elizabeth II National Trust
The Trust is an independent organisation set up to help landowners protect important landscape features on their land while retaining ownership.
- Canterbury Region: Miles Giller, phone 03-313-5315, email broadleaf@actrix.gen.nz
- South Island High Country: Brian Molloy, phone/fax 03 348 1077
Native plant nurseries
Some nurseries will need prior notice to ensure the native plants you receive are collected from your local district for propagation. This is to make sure that you don’t introduce varieties that are different from those that would naturally occur in your area. You can also do this by collecting your own seed locally.
For a list of native plant nurseries, view our nurseries and planting contacts page.
Recommended reading:
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| Dams, ponds, wildlife needs, weed control or planting advice |
Robert Buxton (1991) New Zealand’s wetlands: A management guide. Available from: Department of Conservation, Science Publications, PO Box 10420, The Terrace, Wellington 6143. $21.95 incl. postage. |
| Weed and pest control, plant propagation, planting advice |
Tim Porteous (1993) Native forest restoration: A practical guide for landowners. Available from: QEII National Trust, PO Box 3341, Wellington 6140, or Gerry Kessels, (07) 825 9025. $29.95 incl. postage. |
| Constructed pond design, planting advice |
Chris Tanner and Vivian Kloosterman (1997) Guidelines for constructed wetland treatment of farm dairy wastewaters in New Zealand. Available from: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, PO Box 11115, Hillcrest, Hamilton 3521. $22.50 incl. postage. |
| Wetland plants and animals, management, creation, restoration |
The Open Polytech of New Zealand (1994) New Zealand wetlands. Available from: The Open Polytech of New Zealand, Private Bag 31914, Lower Hutt 5040.
Paul Champion and Willy Shaw. (2000) Management practices for marginal zones of wetlands and lakes. NIWA Client Report for the Department of Conservation. Available from NIWA, Hamilton (07) 856 7026.
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