Park rangers and the community are working together to realise the regeneration plan for the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor.
Want to help create a living legacy for our city? Our planting season takes place over autumn and winter, from May to August.
We work with other partners to make this legacy a reality. Contact RRZRangers@ccc.govt.nz
Snell Place, Dallington
Conservation Volunteers New Zealand are returning to Dallington Landing to extend the restoration plantings around Snell Bridge.
- Various dates
Register via CVNZ website(external link).
Waikākāriki/Horseshoe Lake
Waikākāriki/Horseshoe Lake was the site of a significant settlement called Te Oranga. A tributary to the Ōtākaro, Waikākāriki was rich in wildlife and natural resources and was a significant site for mahinga kai.
Conservation Volunteers New Zealand will be hosting several public planting days to restore the wetland areas along the New Brighton Road edge and streamside.
- Various dates throughout July and August
Register via CVNZ website(external link).
Avon-Ōtākaro Forest Park - Brooker Forest planting
The public is welcome to join in these community-led events under the auspice of Avon-Ōtākaro Forest Park(external link):
- Sunday 15 July 2026, 10am to midday.
- Postponement day is Sunday 9 August 2026, 10am to midday.
Contact info@aofp.co.nz.
Waitaki stop bank planting days
The local community is welcome to support the rangers in enhancing riparian plantings along the Ōtākaro Avon River. Meet at the red zone access gate at the corner of Pages Road and Waitaki Street.
- Saturday 18 July 2026, 1pm to 3pm.
- Postponement date is Sunday 19 July 2026.
- Registrations essential, numbers limited.
Contact Sarah.Mankelow@ccc.govt.nz.
De Ville Place plant and protect
Join Avon Ōtākaro Network and CCC rangers to plant and protect this restoration project at Waikākāriki Horseshoe Lake. We will do a mix of tree rescue – releasing the grass around plants – as well as in-fill planting. You will contribute to the well-being of this special place and yourselves. Once you have warmed your soul with volunteering in the red zone green spaces, we will warm your heart with homemade soup and conversation.
Waikākāriki/Horseshoe Lake was the site of a significant settlement called Te Oranga. A tributary to the Ōtākaro, Waikākāriki was rich in wildlife and natural resources and was a significant site for mahinga kai.
- Saturday 8 August 2026, 11am to 1pm, stay for soup
- Postponement date is Sunday 9 August 2026
- Meet at 10 De Ville Place
- Registrations essential, so Avon know how much soup to make!
Contact Sarah.Mankelow@ccc.govt.nz.
Autumn and spring maintenance
This is a critical step in any restoration project – releasing the plants by weeding the long grass around each one and adding mulch. This allows each plant to access the sunlight and water it needs to thrive and grow.
We are working with Conservation Volunteers New Zealand to support this important work at Cedarwood, Amelia Rogers and Waikākāriki/Goodmans. We welcome group inquiries for De Ville Place/Waikākāriki and Belair Close, Burwood.
Contact:
Waikākāriki Horseshoe Lake – Goodmans Road
Conservation Volunteers New Zealand are helping restore this culturally significant site – Waikākāriki/Horseshoe Lake.
Autumn maintenance dates on the CVNZ website:
- Thursday 25 June, 9.30am to 12.30pm
Register: Register with CVNZ(external link)
Contact: christchurch@cvnz.org.nz
Cedarwood Reserve
Maintenance is finished at this site for autumn – stay tuned for dates for Spring maintenance.
Register: Register with CVNZ(external link)
Contact: christchurch@cvnz.org.nz
Amelia Rogers Reserve
Amelia Rogers Reserve is in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor, on residential red zone land, Ōtautahi East. Amelia Rogers was a local identity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, running the post office from her home at 348 New Brighton Road.
We'll supply tools. Please bring your own gardening gloves, wear sturdy footwear, long sleeves and pants, and bring a water bottle.
Maintenance is finished at this site for autumn – stay tuned for dates for Spring maintenance.
Register: Register with CVNZ(external link)
Contact: christchurch@cvnz.org.nz
Dallington Landing
Dallington Landing is the site of a Rotary Forest of Peace and Remembrance, planted by CVNZ volunteers in 2022 and 2023 as part of Rotary's centennial celebrations.
- Thursday 18 June, 9.30am to 12.30pm
Register: Register with CVNZ(external link)
Contact: christchurch@cvnz.org.nz
5000 trees at Deville Place
This is the perfect site for any schools looking to fulfil their community service hours, and October to December is a great time to come together and do some spring or summer maintenance.
Contact the Red Zone team if you are interested in bringing your team to this site to make a real contribution to the restoration of the culturally significant Waikākāriki/Horseshoe Lake.
Contact: RRZRangers@ccc.govt.nz
Di Madgin's heritage garden
Support Avon Ōtākaro Network with the maintenance of this peaceful oasis, which was once the home garden of legendary gardening journalist Di Madgin.
Stay tuned for 2026 dates.
Register: Register with CVNZ(external link)
Contact: christchurch@cvnz.org.nz
Port Hills red zone – 186 Bridle Path Road
Support some tree rescue at this lush site in Heathcote Valley. 1000 trees need releasing and mulching to ensure their survival - what a great way to take a break from your desk.
Maintenance is finished at this site for autumn – stay tuned for dates for spring maintenance.
Contact: sarah.mankelow@ccc.govt.nz
Swanns Road wildlife garden weekly working bee
Join regular community volunteers for just an hour of gardening in our wildlife display garden on the corner of Swanns Road and River Road.
Dates to be confirmed.
Organised by We are Richmond – register your interest on their Facebook event(external link)
Contact for more information: sarah.mankelow@ccc.govt.nz .
Please wear long sleeves and pants and bring:
- Appropriate clothing for any weather: sunhat, warm jacket and raincoat.
- Sturdy footwear or gumboots.
- Work gloves.
- Water bottle and sunscreen.
Tools are supplied.
For further information contact parks.volunteers@ccc.govt.nz.
At 602 hectares, the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor regeneration area is three-and-a-half times larger than Hagley Park.
Although this will be a generational project that’s likely to take between 30 and 50 years to fully develop, we encourage people to visit and connect with the land that once held more than 5,000 homes.
The Green Spine will form the core of the regeneration area. At 11km long, it will follow the Ōtākaro Avon River and feature swathes of restored native habitat, trails, paths, footbridges, community spaces, and riverside landings that provide access to the water and local information about the area.
Over the past few years, Council staff, organisations and volunteers have planted tens of thousands of native trees throughout the Green Spine, as we begin bringing the vision of an ecologically-restored river corridor to life.
Some of the larger ecological planting projects you can get involved in include:
- The Rotary Peace, Remembrance and Community Forests Trust is a centennial initiative – marking the founding of Rotary in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1921. This forest planting is located within the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor regeneration project, known as the Green Spine, beside one of the key riverside landing areas.
- Environmental charity Trees That Count pledged 10,000 native trees in support of The Press-backed campaign for Christchurch to be recognised as a National Park City(external link) – a greener, healthier, and wilder place to live. Half of these were planted into a 1.4-hectare space bordering Waikākāriki-Horseshoe Lake(external link).
- Avon-Ōtākaro Forest Park(external link) has a vision to transform the Avon River Red Zone into a vibrant, city-to-sea native forest park along the Ōtākaro Avon River. They have a number of small pocket parks but Brooker Ave is their key site.
