We work with landowners and the community to protect, preserve and restore wetlands across Canterbury.
Wetland protection work

Greenburn wetland
The Greenburn wetland has established bullrush/raupō, at-risk threatened plant species, and habitat that is perfect for native flora and fauna.

Hāpuku Scarp wetland
Totalling more than 10 hectares, the Hapuku Scarp wetland is one of the best examples of a bush and scarp wetland in the South Island, with some of New Zealand’s southernmost tawa and black maire trees.

Mill Road wetland
Wetland habitat has been fenced off along Lyell Creek/Waikōau with additional springs and overland flow paths protected.

Montegues wetland
This project aims to enhance and invest in freshwater quality on farm, while allowing business continuity.

Mt Fyffe Farm wetland
The mānuka-dominant wetland hosts ‘swamp astelia’, which is uncommon on New Zealand’s East Coast.

Nagari wetland
More than 1800 plants, planted across more than a decade, are creating an ecological haven for native species.

Okuku Downs wetland
Funding has been allocated to support the protection of a red tussock swamp wetland at Okuku Downs in the Lees Valley hill country.

Otipua wetland
The Otipua wetland is part of ongoing project in the Otipua-Saltwater Creek catchment.

Oxford wetland project
Environment Canterbury and the QEII Trust are working together with a landowner to help with land retirement, fencing, weed control and planting to enhance an important ecological habitat near Oxford.

Richon wetland
The Richon wetland project in Lees Valley aims to protect and restore indigenous flora and fauna by excluding farmed livestock and feral deer.

The Pines wetland
The Pines Wetland in the Tūhaitara Coastal Park in North Canterbury is around 44 hectares and is a focus for the Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust to protect and restore.

Waiau wetland
This project, part of NZ Landcare Trust's Managing Wetlands as Farm Assets programme, shows the range of benefits a wetland can offer the farming system, environment, and community.

Washpen wetland
A planting and fencing project has enhanced one of the main tributaries to Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere.

Whakaora Te Ahuriri
A landmark wetland project has created a new habitat for native plants and animals as part of the Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere Co-Governance programme.
Read more about the Whakaora Te Ahuriri project.
View progress updates on the restoration of Te Ahuriri lagoon.
Watch a video about this stunning and culturally significant area of Aotearoa.
Recent wetland news
Read other news about how we protect and regenerate wetlands in Canterbury.
Wetland targets and progress
- Our yearly biodiversity snapshot provides an update on key achievements across our biodiversity programme, projects underway with the community and stakeholders, data and infographics, and case studies from across the region. The restoration and projection of wetlands is an important part of our biodiversity work.
- Planning provisions that protect biodiversity values are included in Canterbury's Regional Policy Statement and the Land and Water Regional Plan.
- See how we're tracking against 2020 goals for ecosystem health and biodiversity to protect wetlands under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.