The dramatic Banks Peninsula volcanic landscape is a stark contrast to the surrounding Canterbury plains. The topography, geology, and climate in such a uniquely formed landscape are reflected in the zone's unique biodiversity values.
Banks Peninsula zone biodiversity
Activities
Highlights
Banks Peninsula contains a diverse range of habitats including original podocarp forests, volcanic rock outcrops, Lake Forsyth, and hundreds of kilometres of rocky coastline and sheltered harbours.
Forests
Only about one per cent of original forest area on Banks Peninsula remains, with these remnants being central to the conservation of the biological diversity. The forest and stream invertebrate fauna on Banks Peninsula are diverse and unique and of considerable scientific interest. A dozen tree and shrub species reach their natural southern limit on Banks Peninsula. Banks Peninsula also supports unique reptile fauna such as the jewelled gecko, forest gecko, and spotted skink.
Streams
Banks Peninsula streams have high native fish diversity, including two threatened species (longfinned eel and lamprey), īnanga spawning sites, and two of only four known redfinned bully habitats in Canterbury. Several streams have important biodiversity values for the entire catchment and provide rare ‘source to sea’ habitats for the flora and fauna that live and breed in their waters.
Volcanic outcrops
Volcanic rock outcrops are a very important habitat in Banks Peninsula as they provide less disturbed vegetation amidst the pockets of remnant forest vegetation. The outcrops contribute significantly to regional plant diversity. Although they comprise less than 5 per cent of the total area, they contain more than 33 per cent of the region’s plant species.
Lake Forsyth
Lake Forsyth contains important habitat, fish, bird, plant, and cultural values which are thought to be of greatest importance in nature conservation. Different sections of the catchment have significance for the species that they support, ranging from an important Māori eel fishery, an over-wintering habitat for several species of birds, and the only known location of several plant species. The lake also provides an important food source for a variety of fauna at different stages of their lifecycles.
Coastline
Banks Peninsula’s rocky coastline provides an important habitat for sea birds and marine mammals, such as the endangered Hector's dolphin and white flippered penguin. The coastline is diverse, with wild ocean beaches on the southern aspect, two significant harbours and sheltered bays on the northeastern fringes. The peninsula's coastlines are also a major source of mahinga kai for tangata whenua.
Places to go
Orton Bradley Park
Orton Bradley Park is a private farm park covering 650 hectares of land. It contains a range of different habitats from park-like grounds and exotic tree groves to native regenerating vegetation and grazed farmland.
There are also picnic, BBQ, and camping areas available.
Things to do
A variety of activities are on offer within the park, including walking tracks through protected and regenerating native bush, streams and waterfalls, picnic and barbecue areas, heritage buildings, and agricultural relics.
See the Orton Bradley Park website for further details on the number and length of walking tracks, facilities, and activities available. View Orton Bradley map (PDF 6.1 MB).
Description
Orton Bradley Park is a private farm park run by a body corporate and open to the public for a small entrance fee. It covers 650 hectares of land with a range of different habitats from park-like grounds and exotic tree groves to native regenerating vegetation and grazed farmland. Protection of the water quality and in-stream values of Te Wharau Stream which runs the entire length of the park is a priority because it is one of the few permanently flowing streams into Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō. This flow provides a connection for our native fish species which live for part of their life at sea and then return to their freshwater homes to breed.
Caddisfly (Trichoptera) diversity in the stream is very high and 26 species have been collected from a total known of 230 in NZ. Two species are only found on Banks Peninsula (Costachorema peninsulae and Hydrobiosis styx) and two rare species (Tiphobiosis childi and Paroxythira species) are present. These species are very sensitive to pollution, so it is important that the water quality is high.
History
Orton Bradley Park has a long and well-recorded history. The QEⅡ Trust has supported the board to covenant over 80 hectares of regenerating bush. Volunteer groups are also actively involved in the park and do all of the tree planting and help with general maintenance of the park.
The Banks Peninsula Canterbury Water Management Strategy Zone Committee has contributed Immediate Steps funding to support the installation of the culverts, associated fencing and native trees to add to the restoration and protection work already undertaken on the Te Wharau Stream by the board.
Getting there
From Christchurch take the best route to Charteris Bay, on the southern side of Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō (either over Dyers Pass Road, Gebbies Pass, or through the Lyttelton tunnel). Once you drop down into Charteris Bay continue past the golf course to the next turnoff on the right. A red sign clearly marks Orton Bradley Park.
Orton Bradley Park is a private farm park run by a body corporate for the enjoyment of all people. They are a registered charitable trust that relies on donations and entry fees to maintain and develop the park.
Entry Fee:
Adults - $5, Children - $1, to a maximum of $10 per car load. Open 7 days.
Quail Island/Ōtamahua
Quail Island is a small, uninhabited island in Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō and is a mixture of remnant vegetation, replanted native trees, and exotic grassland.
Things to do
There are three walking tracks on the island that range from 10 minutes to 1.5 hours. Swimming and picnicking are also popular. Interpretative panels around the island provide information about the island and test your knowledge. See the DOC website for more information.
History
Quail Island/Ōtamahua has a long and well-recorded history, it has been used as a quarantine station for both animals and people. Remnants and replicas can be seen around the island.
Since 1997 Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust has been working to restore the native ecology of the island. Volunteers now spend more than 5,600 hours annually planting, weeding, and trapping, which is gradually restoring the island.
Major assistance, financial or logistical, has been received from the Lyttelton Port of Christchurch, Black Cat Cruises, Stark Bros, Canterbury Community Trust, New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, Christchurch City Council, Ron and Edna Environmental Trust, Pacific Development and Conservation Trust, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, Air Rescue and Community Services Trust, Eureka Trust, Honda Tree Fund, and Beaver Tree Services.
Getting there
Quail Island/Ōtamahua can only be accessed by boat. The ferry leaves from B jetty in Lyttelton and a bus service runs from Christchurch City.
Black Cat Cruises operate a regular seven-day ferry service to the island during summer and a weekend service during winter; phone (03) 328 9078 or visit the Black Cat Cruises website
Taking action
We undertake regular monitoring, reporting, and work to maintain biodiversity in Banks Peninsula.
Bird monitoring on Banks Peninsula
Environment Canterbury and local community groups have established a network of five-minute bird count sites on Banks Peninsula to monitor the effectiveness of pest control programmes in increasing native bush bird numbers.
Bird monitoring on Banks Peninsula: Annual Report for 2011 (PDF File, 844.3KB)
August 2012 Phillip Cochrane
This is the fourth annual report on bird count monitoring for Banks Peninsula.
Bird Monitoring on Banks Peninsula; Annual Report 2010 (PDF File, 3.58MB)
R11/102 November 2011 Phillip Cochrane & Frances Schmechel
This is the third annual report on bird densities on Banks Peninsula and includes monitoring for 2010.
Bird Monitoring on Banks Peninsula Annual Report for 2009 (PDF File, 7.36MB)
R10/48 July 2010 Frances Schmechel
This is the second annual report and covers the 2009 calendar year.
Bird Monitoring on Banks Peninsula: Annual Report For 2007 & 2008 (PDF File, 4.58MB)
R09/24 February 2009 Frances Schmechel
This is the first annual report from the monitoring effort for 2007 and 2008.