Mahaanui Area
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Mahaanui Area Office
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Phone:
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+64 3 341 9100
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Fax:
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+64 3 341 9101
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Email:
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christchurchvc@doc.govt.nz
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Address:
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31 Nga Mahi Road
Sockburn
Christchurch
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Postal Address:
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PO Box 11089
Sockburn 8443
Christchurch
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Ōtamahua/Quail Island in the middle of
Whakaraupo/Lyttleton Harbour
Mahaanui Area extends from the territorial sea (12 mile) limit in the east, from the Rakaia River in the south, to the Conway River in the north, and to the west from the Rakaia Gorge, following highways 72, 1 and 7. This area includes the city of Christchurch, home to 375,000 people.
The Mahaanui Area manages approximately 9,720 hectares of land, spread over the 636,540 ha of Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury Plains. This includes lakes, coastal wetlands, beaches, many scattered small reserves and enclosed bay shorelines, supporting both common and threatened species of animals and plants. Mahaanui Area is responsible for 902,540 ha of marine habitat.
Conservation highlights
Mahaanui has 23 species threatened with extinction and requiring priority management. The area undertakes conservation programmes for a number of habitats and threatened species including; kōwaro/Canterbury mudfish, inanga/whitebait, korora/white flippered penguin, and upokohue/Hector's dolphin. Threatened plants are managed with special emphasis on a number of unique habitats, such as Banks Peninsula and Kaitorete Spit.
Mahaanui Area manages about 800 kilometres of coastline, including the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary for the protection of Hector's dolphin/upokohue and supports programmes to investigate impacts of tourism on Hector's dolphins.
There is one marine reserve - Pohatu - at Flea Bay on Banks Peninsula, established in July 1999. A taiāpure was established in 2006 over 92% of Akaroa Harbour. There are three mātaitai reserves on Banks Peninsula; at Rāpaki, Wairewa/Lake Forsyth, and Koukourarata/Port Levy.
Freshwater habitats in Canterbury have been progressively modified and degraded since human settlement. The Area's main objectives are to restore and enhance key waterways, via water conservation orders, or advocating under the RMA for riparian protection, minimum flow regimes, water quality and maintaining fish passage.
Pest control
Wild animal control is focussed on protecting korora/white flippered penguins from ferrets, stoats, rats, and wild cats. Pest fish are a concern, with surveys for koi carp and rudd (plus aquatic weeds) undertaken regularly and control carried out at appropriate sites.
Control of plant pests is also carried out each year, targeting Darwin's barberry, Chilian flame creeper, and purple loosestrife at priority sites.
Recreation and historic
Mahaanui Area is responsible for managing a number of historic places, including nine historic reserves, ranging from the Quail Island immigration barracks to Fort Jervois on Ripapa Island, and the Godley Head military sites.
There are approximately 167 structures on land managed by Mahaanui Area, including around 30 bridges, more than 130 km of track (which can include boardwalks, handrails and other structures) and 1 backcountry hut.
Community programmes
Mahaanui Area works closely with a number community groups, including the Christchurch-Little River Railtrail Trust, the Travis Wetland Trust, the Godley Head Heritage Trust, the Ōtamahua/Quail Island Restoration Trust, and a partnership with Te Ngāi Tūāhurīrī Rūnanga and Lamb and Hayward Ltd Funeral Directors at Ōtukakino Reserve.
Mahaanui Information Centre averages 15,000 visitors per year.
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