Te Tapuwae O Rakau will work with private landowners, Ngāi Tahu, central and local government, community groups and individuals to carry out a planned cultural and ecological reforestation programs. Its aim will be to not only coordinate restoration of areas devastated by fire and earthquake but, ultimately, to go further by planting new areas on private and public land.

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The Port Hills environment has been significantly altered during the 180 years since early colonisation within Lyttelton Harbour and Christchurch and very few substantial areas of native flora remain.

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Earthquakes and fire have left areas of dangerous rock exposure and swathes of blackened and bare land.

This needs to be restored for the health of the land, to prevent erosion and soil run-off into our streams and harbours, and to prevent an explosion of introduced weeds across these cleared areas which could become a new fire hazard.

This presents us with a remarkable opportunity to reinstate the natural native flora environment of the Port Hills, and with it, the return of native birds, insects and reptiles.

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