Projects funded by the Christchurch biodiversity Fund

BPCT Conservation Covenants Programme

BPCT’s Conservation Covenants programme protects ecologically significant land in the Banks Ecological Region by partnering with landowners to establish legally-binding, in-perpetuity covenants safeguarding native forest, rocky outcrops, tussock and shrublands, wetlands, waterways, landscapes and culturally important landscapes from future development or degradation. Robust ecological management plans inform long term landowner support to protect and maintain biodiversity values, control pests and weeds and ensure stock-proof fences are maintained, enhancing habitat resilience effectively. The resulting network of conservation land under multiple tenures contributes powerfully to landscape scale ecological recovery, ensuring that Banks Peninsula, Kaitorete and Port Hills values are preserved for future generations.

 Agreed funding: $99,450.00

Te Kori ā te Kō - Akaroa Harbour Regeneration

Te Kori ā te Kō Akaroa Harbour Regeneration is an Ōnuku Rūnanga-led, moana-focused biodiversity project addressing the impacts of the 
invasive seaweed Undaria pinnatifida in Akaroa Harbour. An estimated 280 tonnes of Undaria occurs annually; targeted removal offers a significant opportunity to reduce pest pressure and support native kelp and coastal habitat recovery. Between June and November 2026, Ōnuku dive crews will undertake manual removal of Undaria from the seabed only, guided by over a decade of Undaria research and spatialdata held by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (TRoNT). This activity occurs under TRoNT’s exclusive MPI wild-harvest permit for seabed removal (not removal from structures), meaning only Ngāi Tahu–affiliated organisations can lawfully undertake this work. The project therefore builds long-term coastal wellbeing expertise within a Treaty partner through 4–5 whānau roles, enabling effective marine pest control that is not otherwise occurring.

 Agreed funding: $100,000

Managing the Puharakekenui River Corridor

This project will fund staff dedicated to help manage young riparian plantings as well as control woody weeds and biodiversity pest plants across 25 private properties in the Pūharakekenui-Styx catchment to ensure they remain viable in the long term. We will also increase species diversity at these sites with enrichment plantings to achieve a more representative species assemblage that will be more selfsustaining/resilient in the long term. We will work with local schools, volunteers and communities to manage and enhance these plantings, and run four pest plant identification and control workshops, and design and distribute a riparian management booklet to landowners and groups.

 Agreed funding: $45,142.50

Linda Woods Reserve & Ōhinetahi Revegetation Project

This integrated restoration project strengthens ecological resilience across Ōhinetahi and Linda Woods Reserves through science-led management and community partnership. We will conduct specialised invertebrate, lizard, and eDNA research to establish critical biodiversity baselines. Restoration actions involve planting indigenous plants with protective guards, managing invasive Nassella tussock, and maintaining fire boundaries to protect the landscape. Infrastructure improvements, including boundary fence replacement, will support long-term conservation outcomes. By engaging the Governors Bay community through professional education and outreach, we ensure these vital Port Hills ecosystems are valued. Collaborating with conservation allies strengthens regional connectivity, supporting the ecosystem as a whole.

 Agreed funding: $22,500

Whaka-Ora Pest Project

WOPP is a coordinated, landscape-scale pest control programme operating across Whakaraupō. The project supports and strengthens community-led pest control to reduce the impacts of invasive mammalian pests on indigenous biodiversity. Since WOPP’s inception in 2023 we have primarily worked on public land and we’re now strategically expanding to support private landowners with pest control. Our work increases native species survival, restores ecological function, and builds a resilient, community-powered pathway towards a pest free Whakaraupō.

 Agreed funding: $24,740

Manaaki mō ngā Mokomoko

The Manaaki mō ngā Mokomoko project aims to support lizard habitat in the Māori Reserve Block 1A & 2b. This project will support the restoration of Māori land block 1a2b, which aligns with the values of Hauora (wellbeing), mauri, and cultural and amenity values of the wider hāpori; as outlined in the Whakaora Healthy Harbour Plan. It is the intention to restore what lizard habitat is already on the whenua (land), and support the naturalization of lizards in a space safe from public and pest interference.

 Agreed funding: $38,392.40

This project by Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust seeks to document impacts of the invasive weed pig’s ear (Cotyledon orbiculata) on coastal cliffs, basic tors (rocky outcrops), scarps and rocklands, as well as the coastal forest and scrub remnants and grasslands of Banks Peninsula.

Additionally, it will examine the features driving spread into interior vegetation communities and determine the effects of chemical control of pig’s ear on these ecological communities, using the 1,800-hectare area between Menzies Bay and Little Akaloa in the north-eastern bays of Banks Peninsula as a case study.

This project will continue the funding of a Pest Free Community Activator position for the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, to work with community trapping groups across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. The Activator will deliver training and support, and a range of resources, to support community groups to positively impact biodiversity outcomes.

Linda Woods Reserve is a 233 hectare reserve, made up of Horotane and Avoca Valleys, which is owned and managed by the Summit Road Society.

Supporting the Society’s aim of restoring lowland dry podocarp hardwood forest to the reserve, this project is for maintenance of 14,000 native plants in Avoca Valley, focusing on weed control and protective plant guard removal and recycling.

This project by Diamond Harbour Community Association Inc aims to increase the extent of indigenous coastal forest through weed control, natural regeneration, and community tree planting from Purau to Te Waipapa Diamond Harbour.

It will reduce environmental weed sources through control of outlier populations and, through community engagement and outreach, inspire and educate local gardeners to remove weeds from their gardens.

This project by Port Hills Park Trust Board involves the protection, enhancement, research and monitoring, and education and engagement on rocky outcrops of significance within Mt Vernon.

The restoration work within Mt Vernon will be supported by collaboration with research and restoration communities to document and monitor various restoration/intervention strategies and external impacts and influences. 

This project by Orton Bradley Park Board will involve the protection and enhancement of the Te Wharau Stream catchment to ensure improved biodiversity habitat, improved freshwater quality, higher carbon capture, and higher survival rates for native flora and fauna.

This project will protect identified areas on the summit of Te Ahu Pātiki and designated special areas on Mt. Bradley. Te Ahu Pātiki is host to a variety of nationally and regionally rare species, which are all under threat from recent gorse incursion.

This project by Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust will control problematic weeds in the wetland edge of Te Roto o Wairewa that the Little River Rail Trail runs through. Weed control in this area will also prevent significant incursion into other high value areas that have recently had extensive weed control treatment.