Biodiversity on our land
We continue to lead by example and increase biodiversity protection on our land. Here are some examples of work on council-owned land:
Environment Canterbury reserves
We hold land on the Waimakariri floodplain, historically for purposes of river protection and the generation of income to support protection works. Much of this land also holds important biodiversity values and each year we undertake a range of management actions to protect these values.
This year a key outcome was the replacement of rabbit-proof fencing to a reserve area which protects the endemic Canterbury shrub daisy, Olearia adenocarpa and other rare native plants. Known as the ‘Molloy Plains Olearia Conservation Area’ the reserve is one of the most intact areas of native vegetation within the dry plains of Canterbury. Initially fenced and retired from grazing in 2004, the new fencing ensures the indigenous plants continue to benefit from the exclusion of browsing rabbit and hare.
Rabbit proof fencing protecting individual Olearia adenocarpa
New netting on existing
fence
Wetlands sites monitoring programme
Fifty-five wetland sites occurring within nine of the ten territorial districts were visited by staff this financial year, which all varied in condition.
Sites in relatively good condition and yet to face high pressures were identified, with advice provided to managers to assist in managing them.
These assessments form part of a rotational monitoring programme, with ‘priority’ sites identified for repeat monitoring.
These assessments provide baseline measures of wetland condition and the extent to which future change can be measured at the site.
Download the full report (PDF file, 3.7MB).
This area of shallow water within a wider marsh provides habitat to the rare floating liverwort. Staff have installed permanent wetland monitoring plots at this site to inform future management
Braided river monitoring programme
As part of our ongoing programme to monitor the region’s braided rivers, the Waimakariri and Poulter rivers were surveyed in the 2024/25 financial year. These surveys help build a clearer picture of the ecological health of these dynamic river systems.
Field teams carried out habitat mapping and vegetation surveys across twelve 200m long reaches stretching across the entire braidplain on the Waimakariri River and three on the Poulter River.
In total, 455 vegetation plots were surveyed, spanning a diverse range of habitat sites:
- 27 in forest/treeland
- 75 in scrub/shrubland
- 68 in grassland
- 44 in mossfield
- 118 in herbfield
- 123 in bare gravel/gravelfields.
The data collected is available through the National Vegetation Survey databank (NVS) and a preliminary report is currently being prepared.
Habitat mapping of the Waimakariri River
Takapō Regional Park Forest Transition – Te Ipuraki o Motu Ariki
The Takapō Regional Park, originally vested to us as a soil conservation reserve under the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941, is undergoing a major transition to address the threat of wilding conifers.
Renamed in 2023 to honour its cultural heritage and partnership with Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, the park (formerly Lake Tekapo Regional Park) has become the focus of a forest transition project in collaboration with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). The initiative responds to the park’s exotic forest being a significant seed source for wilding pines.
The first harvest phase in May 2023 removed 35 hectares of mainly Pinus contorta. This was followed by aerial spraying in summer 2023–24 and ground preparation in April 2024.
Restoration efforts have since seen 9,000 native plants planted in September 2024 and a further 3,000 in April 2025 by the Arowhenua Native Nursery and their restoration team. In parallel, 30,000 Pinus attenuata × radiata hybrids were established for their low wilding risk and resilience.
Culturally significant areas within the park have been named Te Piripiri, and the project itself was gifted the name Te Ipuraki o Motu Ariki – the food bowl of Motuariki by mana whenua.
A 2025 survey showed an 84 per cent survival rate for native plantings which is an encouraging result given the challenging site conditions.
With Stage 1 planting now complete, interpretation signage and a comprehensive report are in development. Stage 2 is planned for 2028, subject to exotic regrowth rates.
Stage 1 planting completed, with a 84 per cent survival rate
Te Rauakaaka Nature Reserve – Wetland Enhancement and Wildlife Management
Several enhancement initiatives were delivered this year in the lower Waimakariri wetland complex, an area recognised for its high ecological value. Supported primarily through the biodiversity targeted rate, this work focused on habitat restoration and species monitoring to protect and improve wetland ecosystems.
Key actions included:
- Yellow flag iris control across 17 hectares of wetland and saltmarsh
- Willow and alder removal to safeguard native wetland habitats
- A 6,000m² wetland expansion into adjacent exotic grassland to encourage raupō establishment and broader wetland development
- Targeted terrestrial planting to stabilise wetland margins and establish pockets of coastal forest
- A block of macrocarpa within the reserve has also been earmarked for exotic-to-native transition, scheduled for implementation in the next financial year.
In 2024, we took on responsibility for monitoring the nationally critical matuku-hūrepo/Australian bittern at Te Rauakaaka. This has fostered strong collaboration between rivers staff, biodiversity teams, and the Department of Conservation (DOC). Regular listening surveys were conducted between October and December, and data analysis is now underway in partnership with DOC. We are also trialling thermal drone technology to improve monitoring of breeding and fledging success.
Learn more about our regional parks and what our role is in protecting and maintaining these diverse areas.
Listening for bittern in the
early evening
Works underway in the wetland expansion project, encouraging raupō establishment