Many of the city's neighbourhood parks are cared for with the help of the local community. Find out how you can get involved.

Pūharakekenui Styx Living Laboratory Planting Days 

Join one of our planting days along the Pūharakekenui Styx River and in surrounding reserves. 

  • 9am to midday, Saturday 16 August, Cunliffe Place planting day. 
  • 9am to midday, Saturday 30 August, Redwood Springs planting day. Plenty of parking is available along Willowview Drive.  
  • 9am to midday, Saturday 13 September, Belfast Cemetery planting day. 
  • 5pm to 7pm, Saturday 31 October, Halloween planting at Belfast Cemetery.

Unless otherwise indicated, contact styxllbom@gmail.com(external link) for more information. 

Dates and locations are subject to change or cancellation, so keep an eye out for updates on the Styx Trust Facebook page.(external link)

Laura Kent Reserve

The Laura Kent Reserve Workgroup meet on the first Saturday of every month for a couple of hours.

We remove blackberry, poplar seedlings and other unwanted species and are planting native plants historically found in the area.

Please come and join us here with spades, gloves and a sense of humour:

  • Monthly on the first Saturday of the month between 9am and 11am.
  • Between Radley Street and Riley Crescent, beside the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River.

Head to the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Network for more information or register your interest by emailing dugaldwil@gmail.com.

Thistledown Reserve

Join Park Rangers, Ihutai Trust and passionate volunteers at the Thistledown Reserve working bee:

  • Monthly on Saturday mornings between 10am and midday.
  • End of Thistledown Place, Woolston.

Tasks include planting, pruning, weeding and mulching. Wear gumboots or old sneakers as there are wet and muddy areas on site.

Farnley Reserve 

Tasks include weeding, mulching and planting. 

  • Every third Sunday of the month, 9am to 10.30am.
  • Eastern Terrace, Beckenham.

Wear sturdy footwear and bring your own morning tea gloves, wheelbarrow and gardening tools.

For more information, friendsoffarnley@gmail.com

Papanui Bush 

  • Every second Tuesday of the month, 8.30am to 12.30pm.
  • Bridgestone Reserve, 46 Langdons Road, Papanui.

Tasks include weed releasing, planting and general tidying up.

Contact Denis McMurtrie on 021 125 1920 for more information.

Drayton Reserve

Drayton Reserve also holds regular working bees, check the Drayton Reserve Volunteers(external link) website or sign up for the newsletter to receive details of upcoming planting days.

During autumn, winter and spring, volunteer work is often focused around planting, weeding and mulching. In summer, work is mainly weeding, watering and litter removal.

Bring sturdy footwear, a bottle of water, snacks and warm clothes. Some gloves and spades are provided but bring your own if you can.