Biodiversity Corridors - “From the Mountains to the Sea”

6 August 2026

Let’s have a Biodiversity Corridor in our area, and move the birds, insects lizards and native flora and fauna across the plains. This “Green Corridor”, creates a chain of natural habitats that can increase local wildlife.

At Gough’s Nurseries we are encouraging local interest in the space between the Ashley and Waimakariri Rivers, from the Oxford Forest Conservation Area, Lees Valley and Ashley Forest Areas to the estuaries and shoreline in Pegasus Bay.

The towns of Oxford, Cust, Rangiora and Pegasus lie within the corridor, as well as many smaller townships and communities such as Ohoka, Mandeville, Eyreton, Summerhill, Burnt hill, Tuahiwi, Woodend and Waikuku and many more growing areas. It would be great to encourage the bellbirds (korimako) and pigeons (kereru) across the plains into the backyards!

Birds typically fly in 4 km hops between potential food sources. Plants selected for biodiversity nodes need to provide year round food.

We have encouraged our clients to plant these very important biodiversity nodes along our chosen corridor. Three of our clients received funding in 2025 from the Waimakariri District Council Biodiversity Fund.

There is a wealth of habitat. From the highlands to the lowlands the terrain includes foothills, dryland terraces, waterways, streams and coastal estuaries and dunes. (See planting zones Goughs page)

Our more recent spaces include:
Burnt hill area
Summerhill
Starvation Hill
Oxford township area
Cust
West Eyreton
Mandeville
Ohoka

We would like to see a local community map with everyone’s biodiversity contribution on it! There are a number of groups working hard in the community, providing knowledge, Canterbury-
relevant eco-sourced plants, funding, volunteer work and lots of enthusisam.

For some local news check out:

E.C.A.N.
Waimakariri District Council
Waimakariri Irrigation Limited
Tūhaitara Coastal Park
Ashley Rangiora River Care Group
D.O.C.
Waimakariri Biodiversity Fund