Conservation opportunities in Canterbury
Kea, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
Find out below about why tourism operators are involved in conservation work and what they're accomplishing.
Mahaanui area
The Mahaanui area contains unique and special opportunities for concessionaires. Find out about three diverse projects in which you could be involved. We appreciate your support.
What's in it for you and your business?
You could be part of these valuable restoration projects by:
- Offering your clients a unique hands-on conservation experience
- Using a highly effective marketing tool and draw-card to increase clientele and revenue.
You may wish to volunteer your organisation's time, involve your clients in assisting with on ground practical work or donate funds to assist community groups in their conservation work. You can make a real difference to Canterbury's unique conservation heritage.
Opportunities for you
- Your chance to be part of rewarding local conservation projects.
- Media opportunities, local and national newspaper and magazine articles.
- Your company's logo or advertisement on promotional material.
- One-off concessions for events, filming.
- Exposure to local, national and international volunteers during work days.
- Expand your business.
- Interpretive walking tours with clients to view these unique areas.
Awaroa/Godley Head
This nationally significant site is one of the most intact and extensive World War II coastal defence batteries left in New Zealand. Concrete buildings are largely as the Army left them when they pulled out of the area in 1958.
It is close to Christchurch (40 min car drive) and a popular recreation area for walkers, mountain bikers and family groups.
The Godley Head Heritage Trust has a lease over the former regimental headquarters and quartermaster's store building and are working to establish a heritage centre.
The White Flippered Penguin Trust are working to establish viable populations of this threatened species at Harris Bay and potential establishment at Boulder Bay.
DOC and the Christchurch City Council prepared the Awaroa/Godley Head Coastal Park concept plan which recognises all the values. DOC will soon be seeking expressions of interest for the other vacant concrete buildings - the former officers' and NCOs' messes.
Opportunities for concessionaires
Volunteer days to assist with:
- Maintenance work - painting, lime-washing, heritage restoration
- Weed removal from the headland
Funding:
- To help the community group:
- Establish the heritage centre
- Print leaflets and brochures
- Restore and maintain the buildings
- Provide education opportunities
Further concession opportunities:
- Occupation of the former mess buildings for commercial usage: A lodge? Heritage thematic café? Conference venue?
Your imagination is the key.
Contact
Grant Campbell
Community Relations Programme Manager
Phone: +64 3 371 3761
Email: gcampbell@doc.govt.nz
Ashley River bird habitat restoration
Canterbury's braided rivers are special, dynamic environments with unique plant and animal species.
The Ashley River provides vital breeding habitat for four threatened shorebird species:
- Wrybill / ngutu parore
- Banded dotterel / turiwhatu
- Black-fronted tern / tarapirohe
- Black-billed gull / tarāpuka
In 1999 the Rakahuri Rivercare Group was formed with the aim of protecting a range of endangered braided river bird species and their habitat. They involve a range of riverbed users and work with the community to promote conservation in this highly modified area. DOC provides field equipment and technical assistance. Here is a chance for you to help these struggling birds maintain an existence on the door-step of the South Island's biggest city.
Opportunities for concessionaires
Volunteer days to assist with;
- Clearing weeds to create nesting habitat for shorebirds
- Predator trap checking to assist nesting birds
- Annual bird surveys
- Monitoring bird breeding success
Funding to help purchase:
- Additional traps for predator control
- Predator-proof nest boxes
- Mechanical removal of weeds to create breeding and nesting islands
Contact
Anita Spencer
Biodiversity Ranger
Phone: +64 3 371 3703
Email: aspencer@doc.govt.nz
Banks Peninsula lowland podocarp forest restoration
Canterbury is recognised as one of the world's 25 most important biodiversity 'hotspots' because of its wide, unique range of native species. We have almost 25% of New Zealand's threatened flowering native plants and 15% of its threatened animal species. Hay and Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserves on Banks Peninsula are tiny fragments of the rich podocarp broadleaf forest that once cloaked the peninsula.
These forests were habitat for a diverse range of indigenous flora and fauna. The tiny fragments are still home for unique and threatened invertebrate, lizard, fish and bird species but are becoming increasingly vulnerable. However, these lowland forest remnants are not on their last legs yet. The reserves will regenerate with good fencing to keep out stock, weed control on their margins and animal pest control. The remaining giant 800-year-old lowland tōtara, miro and mataī have tiny seedlings starting to regenerate within the reserves' interiors. Help us maintain and enhance these spectacular forests forever.
Opportunities for concessionaires
Volunteer days to assist with:
- Planting native trees and shrubs
- Predator trap checking
- Weed control around the reserve margins
- Fence maintenance
- Bird, lizard, invertebrate and freshwater fish monitoring
Funding to help purchase:
- Native plants
- Additional traps for predator control
- Signage
- Fencing materials
Further concession opportunities:
- Interpretive walking tours with clients to view these ancient remnants and diverse wildlife
- One-off concessions for events, filming
- Adjoining land purchase and restoration to add to reserve size and reduce vulnerability.
Contact
Anita Spencer
Biodiversity Ranger
Phone: +64 3 371 3703
Email: aspencer@doc.govt.nz
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