Canterbury has a spectacular and diverse coastline stretching from Kaikoura in the north to the Waitaki River. In between are the sandy beaches and dunes of Pegasus Bay, the rocky platforms of Kaikoura and Banks Peninsula, coastal lagoons, estuaries and shingle beaches.

Each one is unique, with its own set of ecological processes, biodiversity, values and issues. 
 

What we offer

Factsheets

Back to the future - the culture, traditions and history of the sea (pdf 370kB)
Events for sea week (873kB)
Godwits - the world famous, record-breaking birds! (pdf 259 kB)
Large bellied seahorse (pdf 217 kB)

Sea Chest

A coastal resource for teachers. Canterbury’s Spectacular Coast and Marine and Coastal Animals are free to all schools and interested community groups in Canterbury. These books have been designed to be used in combination but can be used separately.

Supplements include lesson plans and activities:

Canterbury's Spectacular Coast (pdf 1.57 MB)
Canterbury's Marine and Coastal Animals (pdf 1.36 MB)
Spectacular Coast - Coastal Dunes (pdf 991 kB)
Spectacular Coast - Coastal Wetlands (pdf 1.61 MB)
Spectacular Coast - Rocky Shore (pdf 3.97 MB)

Your Environment, Canterbury (E-box) The Canterbury coastline

The Canterbury coastline is spectacular. This issue explores the many different features along this diverse stretch of New Zealand's coast, from dunes to lagoons.

The Canterbury coastline (pdf 3.35 MB)

Interactive websites

• Wild Wonderful Coastal Wetlands
• Dramatic Dynamic Dunes