Native plant shelterbelt in Cust

30 July 2026

In 2025 three Goughs Nurseries clients were recipients of the Waimakariri District Council Biodiversity Fund round. One of the properties was in Cust, and a 6m wide fenced boundary area was chosen for specialist native shelter planting. The benefits of the selected plants were not only to provide shelter in a high wind exposed location, but also to provide biodiversity benefits to the chosen property and surrounding district, to be part of a potential bird corridor from Ashley Gorge to Rangiora and along the plains between the Ashley River and the Waimakariri River, and also to foster and encourage some local threatened and declining native plant species in the district.

The three successful recipients were strategically located at Burnt Hill, Sommerhill (Cust area), and View Hill as part of the Waimakariri/Ashley Bird Corridor, a concept similar to Te Ara Kakariki in the Selwyn District. The plant selection for all three properties planning for climatic and soil conditions, eco-sourced plants, taller plants for screening from neighbouring properties and for wind protection, mid-sized plants for functionality, new seedling protection, robustness, seasonal bird food, and wildlife habitat, including for lizards, butterflies and bees. Attracting birds and being part of the wildlife corridors was an important factor.

Our latest 2026 project in Cust is also to provide native shelterbelts and mixed height hedging. Here the extra requirements are to select plants suitable next to paddocks with horses and sheep, to look beautiful, have some colour, and attract bees and birds all year round.

Clients have the freedom to add their favourite plants for a custom shelterbelt. For mixed options, plants can be selected in combinations of native plant species, eco-sourced plants, native cultivars, exotic species or a mixture of any of these.

Each project is unique and we look forward creating a plant selection to suit your individual requirements.

Sample plant selection

Waimakariri/Ashley Bird Corridor