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

Port Hills volunteer planting; photo Neil MacBeth.

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

Autumn maintenance 2023

Keen to help native plants survive and thrive? Join us next Autumn for our maintenance days.

Date Reserve Time
Saturday 18 February Barnett Park 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 25 February Bowenvale (Huntsbury) 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 4 March Dry Bush 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 11 March Barnett Park 1pm to 3pm

Winter planting 2023

Keen to help restore the Port Hills and extend native plantings? 

Date Reserve Time
Saturday 27 May Barnett Park 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 3 June Bowenvale (Huntsbury) 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 10 June Dry Bush 1pm to 3pm

Spring maintenance 2022

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

Date Reserve Time
Saturday 23 September Barnett Park 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 30 September Bowenvale (Huntsbury) 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 7 October Dry Bush 1pm to 3pm
Saturday 14 October TBC 1pm to 3pm
  • Weather-appropriate clothing – layers, rain jacket, hat
  • Sturdy footwear for hill work
  • Gardening gloves
  • Hedge clippers if you have them (these will be provided if you don't have your own)
  • Water bottle and a snack

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.

Bowenvale Reserve (Huntsbury)

Meet at 20 Swanton Drive, Huntsbury. Park on the street close to this location, but please keep accessways clear for residents.

Barnett Park (Redcliffs)

Meet at the end of Bay View Road, Redcliffs.   

Latter's Spur/Eastside Bush

Meet at the small carpark at rear of Victoria Park Rangers HQ. We will walk to the site from there.

Bookings are essential. To confirm your place, contact our park ranger Fiona on 027 506 1425 or fiona.fenton@ccc.govt.nz. 

For more information email parks.volunteers@ccc.govt.nz