A new regional park is under development and will offer access to some of Banks Peninsula’s stunning southern bays. 

The previous owners of the more than 500ha property wanted to ensure the land would be publicly accessible and conserved for generations to come, and have sold it to Christchurch City Council. 

“The property includes one of the country’s most well-preserved historic whaling sites, the coastal headlands and cliffs serve as sanctuaries for native seabirds, and it offers significant potential for natural regeneration and restoration initiatives,” council head of parks Rupert Bool said.  

In partnership with Wairewa Rūnanga, council staff will develop a reserve management plan and operational guidelines that will be open for public consultation this year. In the short term, Bool said staff will build stiles and create poled routes to support and guide limited public access until the plan is completed. 

The property provides habitat for a diverse range of native invertebrates, lizards, birds, moths and cicadas, and predator control is being undertaken to protect native birds.

A Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust covenant has been created over the property, and the trust will put together an ecological plan for the council to implement.