Waitaha Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy
Te Rautaki Rerenga Rauropi o Waitaha
The 2025 Waitaha Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy builds on the work achieved under the previous 'Biodiversity Strategy for the Canterbury Region' which was adopted in 2008.
The revitalised strategy was developed collaboratively in partnership with mana whenua, and in collaboration with councils, agencies and community groups.
It sets a shared vision, goals and actions to guide biodiversity protection and restoration, ki uta ki tai - from the mountains to the sea.
This summary outlines the vision and goals — download the full strategy document to explore the complete strategy and actions.
Vision and goals - Te tirohanga whānui me ngā whāinga
The Strategy's guiding principle is to focus first on protecting and maintaining what remains, then on restoring what has been lost, and finally on enhancing the resilience of indigenous biodiversity.
It sets a shared vision, goals, and actions to protect, maintain, and restore indigenous biodiversity.
Five goals guide our actions towards the shared vision for indigenous biodiversity, that the natural environment and indigenous biodiversity in Waitaha Canterbury is thriving ki uta ki tai. It is healthy, resilient and abundant; and is cared for collectively by the people of the region.
- Indigenous habitats and ecosystems are protected as a priority, and then maintained and restored.
- Indigenous species, habitats and ecosystems are supported to be adaptable and resilient to threats, including those from pests and the impacts of climate change.
- The community’s awareness, knowledge, actions, and support of indigenous biodiversity is lifted.
- The range and quality of knowledge and information about indigenous biodiversity in Waitaha Canterbury is improved to support the protection, enhancement and restoration of indigenous biodiversity.
- Mana whenua, landowners and communities are supported and empowered to effectively protect, maintain and restore indigenous biodiversity and mahinga kai.
How we’re delivering the strategy together
The Strategy defines our leadership role while fostering a coordinated and cooperative approach, recognising the importance of working together — and the contributions of many — to achieve the Strategy's vision.
Continued commitments and participation from our communities, decision-makers and landowners will ensure progress towards our shared vision for the region's biodiversity.
As it is developed, we'll be adding more material to this page, including:
- implementation plans
- recognition of strategy adopters
- biodiversity information.
This material will be regularly updated and sit alongside the Strategy to provide an ongoing view of strategy performance and progress towards biodiversity outcomes.
Biodiversity in Waitaha: Learn more about our biodiversity work, which highlights key achievements and progress across regional biodiversity programmes.