Beaches and coastal areas

Coast and estuary

Getting Involved

Coast Care

The achievements have been made possible because the Coast Care programme has been assisted by a huge input of many voluntary and subsidised workers. Such groups include the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust, schools, volunteer groups, periodic detention workers, the YMCA youth training scheme, subsidised employment schemes, as well as community groups and conservation organisations. This has resulted in a two-way benefit for the community, improving the beach parks and also giving its people valuable experiences for the future.

What can I do to help?

• Join a Coast Care group and/or take part in public planting days or beach clean-up events.
• Join the Community Boneseed Busting Day - next event October 6, 2007
• Grow native plants for Coast Care (or your group) to plant in the sand dunes. We especially need help growing pingao, a native sandbinding plant. We can give you sand, seeds, trays and information on how to grow this plant.
• Arrange a school or group visit to the coast. Coast Care staff can give you an educational tour.
• Keep your dog under control when you bring it to the beach. Observe local dog rules. Much of the coastal area is important for feeding and nesting birds.
• Enjoy your time at the beach. Keep to access tracks, take your rubbish home with you and help us to look after the beach for everyone to enjoy.
• Contact the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust

Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust

The Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust is a non profit organisation formed by the general public and supported by Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury.

Our vision:

Communities working together for: clean water, open space, safe recreation and healthy ecosystems that we can all enjoy and respect.

Our objectives:

1. To pursue for the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai ("the Estuary") the preservation of its natural and historic resources to maintain their intrinsic values and to seek the protection of these resources, including restoration and enhancement, for their appreciation and recreational enjoyment by present and future generations.
2. To achieve healthy working ecosystems for the Estuary and its catchments through "integrated environmental management", meaning a systematic effort to understand, through interactive interpretation and analysis, the linkages between ecosystems, resources and people.
3. To involve individuals, community groups and statutory agencies in learning and practicing the principles of integrated environmental management so that all parties responsible for the management of the Estuary and its resources apply these principles.
4. To strengthen relationships between mana whenua, communities, interest groups and statutory agencies for the better management of the Estuary and its resources.
5. To acquire, publish and use information and knowledge of the Estuary through research and monitoring, public education, contributing to plans and any other actions necessary for the integrated environmental management of the Estuary, its resources and its catchments.
6. To increase public recognition, understanding and appreciation of the qualities and values of the Estuary.