Preparations begin for Port Hills plantings

Want to help breathe new life into the fire-damaged Port Hills?

The Council is looking for volunteers who can help make protective cages for the more than 7000 plants it intends to plant in the Port Hills over the winter.

Protective cages give newly planted plants a greater chance of survival.

The cages are vital to the plants' chances of survival as they will help protect them from being eaten by browsing hares.

“There’s a lot of preparation work that needs to be done before we can start replanting and cage-making is just one of the tasks we need to tackle. We’re probably going to need about 8400 cages so it’s a big job and one we’re hoping the public will help us with,’’ said Christchurch City Council Port Hills Ranger Di Carter.

“From now until May 13 we are going to be holding daily cage-making sessions at the Victoria Park ranger headquarters where people can come along and help the rangers make cages.

“We will be running morning and afternoon sessions and providing all the equipment needed. We can take up to 15 volunteers at each session and we welcome kids getting involved, as long as they are aged over 10,’’ Ms Carter said.

People can book places in the sessions via Eventfinda.

Thursday, April 27 update:  Thanks for your great response to our call for volunteers to help with the cage-making. So many of you have answered our call for help that all the available spaces in the sessions are now taken. We'll keep you up to date on other opportunities to get involved in the recovery effort.

Find out more about other opportunities to get involved in the Port Hills regeneration work.