Canterbury Region Biodiversity Strategy
Minister of Conservation Steve Chadwick meets a Canterbury gecko at Birdlings Flat during the launch of the Strategy on March 27th 2008.
Canterbury's biodiversity strategy is region-wide, which makes it the first of its kind in New Zealand.
Launched in March 2008, "A Biodiversity Strategy for the Canterbury Region (5MB PDF)" provides a framework and guidance for:
- policy and decision making,
- resource allocation,
- voluntary effort, and
- on-the-ground projects and initiatives relating to biodiversity.
It was formulated by an Advisory Group representing a diverse range of stakeholders, and sets out a common Vision and a number of Goals to achieve together.
At a more detailed level, it identifies actions we need to take to achieve those goals, as well as priorities for the Canterbury region. Those priorities include a general principle to guide decision making and efforts on the ground, and a number of specific areas where efforts should be focused as a first priority.
The guiding priority principle is –
- Focus first on protecting and maintaining what remains, and then on restoring what has been lost.
The Priority Areas for Action are –
- habitats and ecosystems that support rare and threatened species;
- habitats and ecosystems that are naturally rare or distinctive;
- environments where less than 20% indigenous cover remains; and
- environments where there are low levels of protection of remaining biodiversity coupled with increasing threats to that remaining biodiversity due to rapid land use change or other developments
The main aims of the Strategy are to:
- build on the good work already occurring
- raise awareness
- facilitate better coordination through partnerships, and
- support and encourage the efforts of communities and individuals.
It is a non-statutory document that sits alongside existing statutory and other instruments relating to biodiversity.
Click here to download a full copy of the Strategy (5MB PDF) or here to download it in parts.
A copy of the Summary document (309KB PDF) is available here.
The Strategy contributes at a regional level to achieving the goals of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy.
The Advisory Group established in 2006 to assist in the development of this Strategy is made up of representatives from the
following organisations.
| Ashburton District Council | Waimate District Council | NZ Fish and Game (North Canterbury) |
| Christchurch City Council | Waitaki District Council | University of Canterbury |
| Environment Canterbury | Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu | Queen Elizabeth II National Trust |
| Hurunui District Council | Department of Conservation | Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust |
| Kaikoura District Council | NZ Landcare Trust | Fonterra |
| Selwyn District Council | Federated Farmers | Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua |
| Timaru District Council | Land Information NZ | |
| Waimakariri District Council | Royal Forest and Bird Society (North Canterbury and Ashburton Branches) |