The volunteer programme restores and maintains native forest in designated areas of the Port Hills.

Port Hills volunteer planting; photo Neil MacBeth.

Autumn maintenance

Keen to help native plants survive?  Maintenance is a critical step in the restoration process. 

Date Reserve Time
Saturday 20 Feb Mt Ada 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 27 Feb Dry Bush 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 6 Mar Bowenvale 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 13 Mar Latters 1pm to 3pm

Winter planting

Date Reserve Time
Saturday 29 May Barnett Park 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 5 June Bowenvale 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 12 Jun Dry Bush  1pm to 3pm
Saturday 19 Jun Barnett Park 1pm to 3pm

Spring maintenance

Keen to help native plants survive the summer? Join us next spring for our maintenance days.

Date Reserve Time
Saturday 25 Sept Barnett Park 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 2 Oct Bowenvale 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 9 Oct Dry Bush 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 16 Oct To be confirmed 1pm to 3pm

Join Christchurch City Council Rangers for planting and maintenance days across the seasons in our unique and stunning Port Hills.

Volunteers plant native trees each winter and maintain them in spring and autumn to reduce competition from grass.

Maintenance is the most critical part of ecological restoration success. Without regular maintenance for the first three years, plants wouldn't survive due to grass competition.

What to bring

  • Weather appropriate clothing – layers, rain jacket, hat
  • Sturdy footwear for hill work
  • Gardening gloves
  • Hedge clippers (if you have your own but these will also be provided)
  • Water bottle and a snack.

Where to meet - Autumn maintenance

Latters Spur and Eastside Bush:  
Meet at the car park behind Victoria Park Visitor Centre just before 1pm. We will walk from here to the site as a group.

Dry Bush: 
Park at the top of Huntsbury Avenue, and walk up Huntsbury Track to Dry Bush. Or park on the Summit Road and walk down Huntsbury Track to Dry Bush. There is no parking on the track.

Mount Ada: 
From Dyer's Pass Road, turn west at Sign of the Kiwi onto Summit Road. Continue for approximately 3km to the parking site at Hoon Hay. Please meet at the carpark at Hoon Hay Saddle.

Bowenvale Reserve (Huntsbury): 
Please meet at 20 Swanton Drive, Huntsbury. Park on the street close to this location, but please keep access ways clear for residents.

Contact

For more information email Parks.Volunteers@ccc.govt.nz or contact our park ranger Fiona on 027 506 1425 or  fiona.fenton@ccc.govt.nz