COVID-19 key updates from Environment Canterbury

New Zealand is at alert level 3. Please go to the Government's dedicated website covid19.govt.nz for COVID-related updates and advice, or the Ministry of Health website for detailed health information.   

Environment Canterbury office buildings will be closed to the public during Level 3.  We will continue to take calls on 0800 324 636 and answer emails  (between 8am and 5pm) during this time or you can visit our contact us page.

Compliance, monitoring and enforcement  

We’ll still be processing consents in alert level 3 but will not be undertaking compliance site visits until we are in alert level 2. 

Recreational boating 

• For current guidance about recreational boating activities under alert level 3, please visit the government's COVID-19 webpage.

Regional parks 

• During alert level 3, your regional parks remain open for those in the local area to use for recreation. Please continue to keep a two-metre distance from people who are not in your bubble. 

• Maintenance and cleaning will be limited in the regional parks during alert level 3, and tracks will not be maintained. Please be cautious and continue to only carry out low-risk activities so you do not require rescuing or medical care.  
• Further information about recreational activities that are permitted under alert level 3 can be found on the government's COVID-19 website.
• Some areas of the Waimakariri River Regional Park remain closed due to the recent floods. More information can be found on the parks notices page.
• If you need to contact us, please call 0800 324 636, and ask to speak to the Duty Ranger. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. 

River engineering 

• We have scaled back all non-essential flood protection and drainage work in our riverbeds. We will be completing works that protect life, homes and critical infrastructure only. 
• All our flood prediction tools, rain gauges and river flow gauges will continue to operate as an essential service. If you have any questions about works in your area, please contact our customer services on 0800 324 636.

Public transport 

• For service updates about Greater Christchurch public transport during alert levels, please visit metro.co.nz  
• For service updates about Timaru public transport and MyWay by Metro during alert levels, please visit timaru.metro.co.nz.

Avoid outdoor fires in alert levels 3 and 4

Environment Canterbury and Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) are asking Cantabrians to wait until we are back in alert level 2 before lighting any outdoor fires.

This is to help keep our firefighters safe in their bubbles while we are in alert level 3 and to avoid unnecessary call-outs, particularly for our volunteer firefighters at this time.

• Please do your bit and keep everyone safe by not lighting outdoor fires, including vegetation and garden waste, during this lockdown.
• If you do need to urgently burn for biosecurity reasons, please call the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Southern Communication Centre first on 03 341 0266.
• More information on avoiding lighting outdoor fires in lockdown is available on our website and at checkitsalright.nz. 

Following the Prime Ministers' announcement today, Environment Canterbury office buildings will be closed to the public during the lockdown from 11.59pm Tuesday 17 August until 11.59pm Tuesday 31 August.  

• No field services will take place during this period.
• We will continue to take calls and answer emails (between 8am and 5pm) during this time or you can visit our contact us page.

Recreational boating

During this period of Alert Level 4 lockdown, the national directive is to stay at home and not undertake any activities where you may unintentionally end up needing emergency services.

Regional parks

The key points are:

• The strong message from our prime minister is to stay at home.
• We understand that it's important to get out for fresh air and exercise, the national directive is to do so locally and keep at least two metres away from other people at all times.
• A good rule of thumb is if you live nearby (i.e. walking/cycling distance) then it’s OK to use our tracks for your fresh air/exercise.
• Do not do activities that may require search and rescue services. For example, do not go swimming or boating.
• We can't restrict access to our parks completely, but we are putting in place the measures we can and relying on everyone to do the right thing, in order to keep everyone safe.
• There is no vehicle access, including trail bikes, to all areas of the Regional Parks.
• All toilet facilities are closed.
• The NZMCA camping areas at the Lake Tekapo Regional Park and at The Willows at the Waimakariri River Regional Park are closed.
• These areas of the Waimakariri River Regional Park remain closed due to recent flood damage:
  • Whites Crossing
  • Te Rauakaaka
  • Kaiapoi Island (above SH1) including the jet boat ramp and trail bike area
  • The trail bike tracks from Haul Road through to Weedons Ross Road on the south bank

If you need to contact us, please call 0800 324 636, and ask to speak to the Duty Ranger. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.

River engineering

• We have scaled back all non-essential flood protection and drainage work in our riverbeds. We will be completing works that protect life, homes and critical infrastructure only.
• All our flood prediction tools, rain gauges and river flow gauges will continue to operate as an essential service. If you have any questions about works in your area, please contact our customer services on 0800 324 636.

Public transport

• For service updates about Greater Christchurch public transport during alert levels, please visit metroinfo.co.nz.
• For service updates about Timaru public transport and MyWay by Metro during alert levels, please visit timaru.metroinfo.co.nz.

Thank you for your patience while we all work through this lockdown period.

Avoid outdoor fires in lockdown

Help keep essential staff safe by not lighting outdoor fires during lockdown. Even if the fire is under control, the smoke often results in 111 calls which mean firefighters need to deal with an avoidable call and risk exposure to COVID-19.

This is particularly important due to the warm, windy weather forecast for the region for the rest of this week.

Please do your bit and keep everyone safe by not lighting outdoor fires, including vegetation and garden waste, during this lockdown.

If you do need to urgently burn for biosecurity reasons, please call the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Southern Communication Centre first on 03 341 0266.

More information on avoiding lighting outdoor fires in lockdown is available on our website and at checkitsalright.nz.

Avoid outdoor fires in lockdown

Help keep essential staff safe by not lighting outdoor fires during lockdown. Even if the fire is under control, the smoke often results in 111 calls which mean firefighters need to deal with an avoidable call and risk exposure to COVID-19.

This is particularly important due to the warm, windy weather forecast for the region for the rest of this week.

Please do your bit and keep everyone safe by not lighting outdoor fires, including vegetation and garden waste, during this lockdown.

If you do need to urgently burn for biosecurity reasons, please call the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Southern Communication Centre first on 03 341 0266.

More information on avoiding lighting outdoor fires in lockdown is available on our website and at checkitsalright.nz.

Following the Prime Ministers' announcement today, Environment Canterbury office buildings will be closed to the public during the lockdown from 11.59pm Tuesday 17 August until 11.59pm Friday 27 August.  

• No field services will take place during this period.
• We will continue to take calls and answer emails (between 8am and 5pm) during this time or you can visit our contact us page.

Recreational boating

During this period of Alert Level 4 lockdown, the national directive is to stay at home and not undertake any activities where you may unintentionally end up needing emergency services.

Regional parks

The key points are:

• The strong message from our prime minister is to stay at home.
• We understand that it's important to get out for fresh air and exercise, the national directive is to do so locally and keep at least two metres away from other people at all times.
• A good rule of thumb is if you live nearby (i.e. walking/cycling distance) then it’s OK to use our tracks for your fresh air/exercise.
• Do not do activities that may require search and rescue services. For example, do not go swimming or boating.
• We can't restrict access to our parks completely, but we are putting in place the measures we can and relying on everyone to do the right thing, in order to keep everyone safe.
• There is no vehicle access, including trail bikes, to all areas of the Regional Parks.
• All toilet facilities are closed.
• The NZMCA camping areas at the Lake Tekapo Regional Park and at The Willows at the Waimakariri River Regional Park are closed.
• These areas of the Waimakariri River Regional Park remain closed due to recent flood damage:
  • Whites Crossing
  • Te Rauakaaka
  • Kaiapoi Island (above SH1) including the jet boat ramp and trail bike area
  • The trail bike tracks from Haul Road through to Weedons Ross Road on the south bank

If you need to contact us, please call 0800 324 636, and ask to speak to the Duty Ranger. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.

River engineering

• We have scaled back all non-essential flood protection and drainage work in our riverbeds. We will be completing works that protect life, homes and critical infrastructure only.
• All our flood prediction tools, rain gauges and river flow gauges will continue to operate as an essential service. If you have any questions about works in your area, please contact our customer services on 0800 324 636.

Public transport

• For service updates about Greater Christchurch public transport during alert levels, please visit metroinfo.co.nz.
• For service updates about Timaru public transport and MyWay by Metro during alert levels, please visit timaru.metroinfo.co.nz.

Thank you for your patience while we all work through this lockdown period.

Following the Prime Ministers' announcement today, Environment Canterbury office buildings will be closed to the public during the lockdown from 11.59pm Tuesday 17 August until 11.59pm Tuesday 24 August.  

• No field services will take place during this period.
• We will continue to take calls and answer emails (between 8am and 5pm) during this time or you can visit our contact us page.

Recreational boating

During this period of alert level 4 lockdown, the national directive is to stay at home and not undertake any activities where you may unintentionally end up needing emergency services.

Regional parks

The key points are:

• The strong message from our prime minister is to stay at home.
• We understand that it's important to get out for fresh air and exercise, the national directive is to do so locally and keep at least two metres away from other people at all times.
• A good rule of thumb is if you live nearby (i.e. walking/cycling distance) then it’s OK to use our tracks for your fresh air/exercise.
• Do not do activities that may require search and rescue services. For example, do not go swimming or boating.
• We can't restrict access to our parks completely, but we are putting in place the measures we can and relying on everyone to do the right thing, in order to keep everyone safe.
• There is no vehicle access, including trail bikes, to all areas of the Regional Parks.
• All toilet facilities are closed.
• The NZMCA camping areas at the Lake Tekapo Regional Park and at The Willows at the Waimakariri River Regional Park are closed.
• These areas of the Waimakariri River Regional Park remain closed due to recent flood damage:
  • Whites Crossing
  • Te Rauakaaka
  • Kaiapoi Island (above SH1) including the jet boat ramp and trail bike area
  • The trail bike tracks from Haul Road through to Weedons Ross Road on the south bank

If you need to contact us, please call 0800 324 636, and ask to speak to the Duty Ranger. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.

River engineering

• We have scaled back all non-essential flood protection and drainage work in our riverbeds. We will be completing works that protect life, homes and critical infrastructure only.
• All our flood prediction tools, rain gauges and river flow gauges will continue to operate as an essential service. If you have any questions about works in your area, please contact our customer services on 0800 324 636.

Public transport

• For service updates about Greater Christchurch public transport during alert levels, please visit metroinfo.co.nz.
• For service updates about Timaru public transport and MyWay by Metro during alert levels, please visit timaru.metroinfo.co.nz.

Thank you for your patience while we all work through this lockdown period.

Update 1: 19 August 2021

New Zealand is at alert level 4. Please go to the Government's dedicated website covid19.govt.nz for COVID-related updates and advice, or the Ministry of Health website for detailed health information.

• At Alert Level 4 all Environment Canterbury offices and depots will be closed during the lockdown period for three days from 11.59pm Tuesday 17 August.
• No field services will take place during this period.
• We will continue to take calls and answer emails (between 8am and 5pm) during this time or you can visit our contact us page.

Recreational boating

During this period of alert level 4 lockdown, the national directive is to stay at home and not undertake any activities where you may unintentionally end up needing emergency services.

Regional parks

The key points are:

• The strong message from our prime minister is to stay at home.
• We understand that it's important to get out for fresh air and exercise, the national directive is to do so locally and keep at least two metres away from other people at all times.
• A good rule of thumb is if you live nearby (i.e. walking/cycling distance) then it’s OK to use our tracks for your fresh air/exercise.
• Do not do activities that may require search and rescue services. For example, do not go swimming or boating.
• We can't restrict access to our parks completely, but we are putting in place the measures we can and relying on everyone to do the right thing, in order to keep everyone safe.
• There is no vehicle access, including trail bikes, to all areas of the Regional Parks.
• All toilet facilities are closed.
• The NZMCA camping areas at the Lake Tekapo Regional Park and at The Willows at the Waimakariri River Regional Park are closed.
• These areas of the Waimakariri River Regional Park remain closed due to recent flood damage:
  • Whites Crossing
  • Te Rauakaaka
  • Kaiapoi Island (above SH1) including the jet boat ramp and trail bike area
  • The trail bike tracks from Haul Road through to Weedons Ross Road on the south bank

If you need to contact us, please call 0800 324 636, and ask to speak to the Duty Ranger. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.

River engineering

• We have scaled back all non-essential flood protection and drainage work in our riverbeds. We will be completing works that protect life, homes and critical infrastructure only.
• All our flood prediction tools, rain gauges and river flow gauges will continue to operate as an essential service. If you have any questions about works in your area, please contact our customer services on 0800 324 636.

Public transport

• For service updates about Greater Christchurch public transport during alert levels, please visit metroinfo.co.nz.
• For service updates about Timaru public transport and MyWay by Metro during alert levels, please visit timaru.metroinfo.co.nz.

Thank you for your patience while we all work through this lockdown period.