News & Events

Although there is still much to do to safeguard our biodiversity for now and the future, there are already many things going on in the region. Individuals and community groups are taking action locally and in their backyard. Various agencies and non-government organisations (NGOs) have initiatives and programmes on the go, and at a national level there are events such as SeaWeek and Conservation Week.

You can keep up to date with what is going on in the region by regularly checking the News and Events sections below.

Another way to keep in touch is to receive the Canterbury Biodiversity e-newsletter, which is e-mailed out several times per year and will let you know the latest news, recent happenings and upcoming events you may want to get involved in. Sign up here.

The latest Biodiversity newsletter is out and available at:

July - September newsletter (1.08 MB)

If you know of an interesting or inspiring story related to biodiversity in Canterbury that we could feature here or in our next e-newsletter, click here to let us know.

To view our newsletter and events Archive click here.

Volunteering in Christchurch parks - Christchurch City Council - Learn about volunteering in urban parks, regional parks, riversides, wetlands and coastal areas around Christchurch. Here you'll find Volunteer Day schedules as well as information on obtaining advice and funding support for your community project. Just click on the below link:

Christchurch City Council - Events and Volunteer in Parks Site

Te Ara Kakariki Greenway Canterbury Green Dots Project

Te Ara Kakariki Greenway Canterbury Green Dots Planting Day

Canterbury Biodiversity, Wayne McCallum Public planting this Sunday the 5th of September.

Wanted! Volunteer dads and mums. Why not plant for your kids on Fathers Day, even if you are a mum, to help bring back rare native plants to the Canterbury Plains?

When and Where? - There are two events

Event 1- 10 am Coalgate Domain

Just take Coal Track to Coalgate – in Coalgate at the stop sign go right - you’ll see the fire station on the left - take Selwyn St opposite on the right – at dead end you’ll see us.

Event 2 -. 1pm Glentunnel Golfcourse

Meet at Clubhouse at 12.45pm

Food and drink will be available. Please let us now if possible if you’ll be able to come. Please send a reply to Manfred

e-mail: maherajo@slingshot.co.nz ph: 03 3374242

Biodiversity Speaker Series - 10th September

Riparian Management & Stream Health in Lowland Canterbury

Streams: Where to next?

Hear Angus McIntosh, from the University of Canterbury, present interim findings from the Mackenzie Foundation sponsored study of lowland stream health in Canterbury. This research includes an investigation into the effectiveness of different riparian management strategies as mechanisms for improving the quality of instream environments. The research raises some key questions about the efficacy of these efforts and what may need to be done to improve the contribution riparian restoration makes to the aquatic environments of Canterbury’s lowland waterways.

Flyer available at: Biodiversity Presentation - 10th September (161 KB)

‘Many Hands’ make Koukourarata Planting Day a Success

The flax flowers aligned on Sunday 22nd August, with warm weather and a large crew of energetic volunteers participating in the successful planting of 800 native plants at Koukourarata / Port Levy.

Part of a whanau-lead restoration project, the morning event focused on the restoring of native vegetation along the banks of one of the bay’s numerous streams.

A survey on the day revealed a volunteer work force from a range of backgrounds, including students from CPIT, a team from Conservation Volunteers New Zealand, local whanau members, Environment Canterbury staff and an enthusiastic contingent from Little River.

A number of accompanied children were also on hand to receive a valuable
environmental lesson; some through assisting with the planting activities and others by using a
section of stream bank as an impromptu mud-slide.

The Regional Biodiversity Coordinator, Wayne McCallum, one of the organisers of the day’s events, felt that the turn-out and the donation of equipment and plants had shown,
“how communities, working together, can lead in the repair of our biodiversity and waterways.”

Meanwhile, the managers of the Koukourarata project, Peter and Annie Ramsden, were left overwhelmed by the contributions made on the day, “the generosity of so many of their time & enthusiasm was reflected by the day's result. After the clean up, Annie & I parked up above the road & admired the result of so many committed people.”

Intense work with spades and grubbers saw the planting completed by mid-day, with a subsequent BBQ providing a fitting end to the morning’s activities.

Scenes from the Koukourarata Planting Day
(Left) A kowhai in its new home, alongside the Koukourarata Stream. (Centre) Some of the Conservation Volunteers NZ team with the Regional Biodiversity Coordinator on the right. (Right) A section of re-vegetated stream bank following the completion of planting.