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

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.

Port Hills Volunteer Days

Winter planting

Where Date Time
Barnett Park - in association with Trees for Canterbury Saturday 25 May 1pm to 3pm
Dry Bush Saturday 8 June 1pm to 3pm
Eastside Bush - followed by a BBQ at Victoria Park Ranger HQ Saturday 15 June 1pm to 3pm
Mt Ada Saturday 13 July 9.30am to 11.30am

Where to meet:

  • Barnett Park: Meet at the end of Bay View Road, Redcliffs. On-street parking available but please keep access ways clear for residents.
  • Dry Bush: Park at the top of Huntsbury Avenue and walk up Huntsbury 4WD track to the site, or park on Summit Road and walk down Huntsbury Track to Dry Bush. There is no parking on Huntsbury Track. Check out our walking track map for more information on accessing these tracks.
  • Eastside Bush: Meet in the car park behind the Victoria Park Visitor Centre, next to the Ranger HQ.
  • Mt Ada: Meet in the grassy car parking area at Hoon Hay Saddle.  At the top of Dyers Pass Road, turn south onto Summit Road at the Sign of the Kiwi café (right turn when travelling from Christchurch). Follow the Summit Road for 2.5 km to Hoon Hay Saddle.  It is a 1 km uphill walk to the planting site.  

Spring maintenance

Where Date Time
Barnett Park Saturday 28 September 1pm to 3pm
Bowenvale Reserve (Huntsbury) Saturday 5 October 1pm to 3pm
Dry Bush Saturday 12 October 1pm to 3pm
To be confirmed Saturday 19 October 1pm to 3pm

On the day

Come prepared for all weather and wear sturdy footwear for hill work.  

A limited number of hedge clippers and gloves will be provided by the rangers, but feel free to bring your own. 

For more information, please contact Fiona Fenton on 027 506 1425 or fiona.fenton@ccc.govt.nz.

Banks Peninsula Volunteer Days

Hilltop planting day

Join Christchurch City Council park rangers and local community to help plant up Hilltop Reserve.

  • 10am to 12pm, Sunday 21 July.

Meet at Hilltop Reserve.

Halswell Quarry Volunteer Days

Look for directions outside the single storey stone cottage on the main driveway of Halswell Quarry Park.

Contact Nigel.Morritt@ccc.govt.nz if you have any queries.

2024 planting days

Date Time
Saturday 25 May 10am to 12pm
Saturday 8 June 10am to 12pm
Saturday 22 June 10am to 12pm
Saturday 20 July - in association with Trees for Canterbury(external link) 10am to 12pm

What to bring

We recommend:

  • Weather-appropriate clothing and lots of layers – rain jacket, hat etc.
  • Sturdy footwear for rough and uneven ground.
  • Gardening gloves.
  • Hedge clippers if you have them. These will be provided if you don't have your own.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Water bottle and a snack.

Contact us

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