Hands-on workshop in Timaru inspires locals to restore wetlands, improve water quality, and strengthen South Canterbury’s environment and communities.
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Partnering and enhancing indigenous biodiversity and mahinga kai
Last updated: 17 November 2025
Reporting frequency: Quarterly
Core service: Environmental Regulation and Protection
We work, often with others, to protect, enhance and restore indigenous biodiversity and mahinga kai. We initiate and manage on-the-ground projects and we monitor to understand the current state of our biodiversity and what we need to do to protect and enhance it.
Our focus as a regional council is on habitat protection, in particular freshwater and coastal habitats. Wetlands and braided rivers are a priority.
Through our regional planning work, we set direction for others, such as city and district councils, to protect terrestrial habitat. Habitat protection and enhancement will lead to better outcomes for at-risk species of flora and fauna, and contribute to achieving the outcomes detailed in our Long-Term Plan.
This service covers key regional working relationships, including Pest Free Banks Peninsula, where the work to control and eradicate pests is primarily for the benefit of indigenous biodiversity. It includes our contributions to partnership programmes such as Whaka-Ora Healthy Harbour, Whakaora Te Waihora, and Te Mōkihi, and our support for rūnanga-led mahinga kai projects.
How are we tracking on our service measures?
Service measure 12: Number of natural inland wetlands physically assessed for extent and values
Target: 50 or more
How we are doing: Planning complete, wetland sites identified for 2025/26 field work
On track
Service measure 13: Number of braided rivers monitored for extent and values of terrestrial aspects
Target: 2 or more
How we are doing: Planning complete, the Rakaia and the Wilberforce rivers are the two rivers being monitored in 2025/26
On track
Service measure 14: Percentage of biodiversity projects being delivered in priority areas
Target: 100%
How we are doing: 22 sites identified for biodiversity projects
On track
Service measure 15: Percentage of annual mahinga kai targets achieved on projects established through programmes delivered in partnership with ngā Papatipu Rūnanga
Target: 80% or more
How we are doing: Six targets have been agreed with rūnanga across the Whakaora Te Waihora and the Whaka-Ora Healthy Harbour programmes and work is underway
On track
More information
We monitor specific biodiversity indicators, including for wetlands and braided rivers. This is critical to understanding the impact resource users and our work programmes are having on indigenous biodiversity. We also partner with ngā Papatipu Rūnanga to deliver mahinga kai projects to support customary use and practices.
Find out more about Canterbury’s wetlands and braided rivers and the biodiversity projects we deliver.
Examples of catchment-based partnerships include the Te Waihora Co-Governance Arrangement, Whaka-ora Healthy Harbour and Te Mōkihi in the Mackenzie Basin. We work towards the goal of being a Treaty Partner of Excellence, by delivering operational programmes in partnership with ngā rūnanga and others.
Recent highlights and updates
News
The Te Waihora Group has won the Te Waka o Aoraki trophy at the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board awards for the Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai project.
News
From keeping nesting birds safe to reducing pest numbers, six initiatives protecting the Hurunui environment are receiving a funding boost.
News
A team searched for īnaka whitebait eggs in streams around Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour. The results were promising and will help protect the at-risk species.
News
Community and partnership drive Whakaraupō / Lyttelton Harbour’s restoration - learn more about their work, the plan, and key projects underway.
News
An ongoing restoration project is underway at Te Rauakaaka, to enhance wetland and coastal ecosystems and support the critically endangered birds.