Environment Canterbury Regional Parks

07/09/2026

🌿 Getting ready for fire season in our forests 🌿

Throughout September, you'll see our teams working in McLeans and West Melton Forests carrying out firebreak maintenance.

We'll be spraying along forestry roads and waterhole access routes to help keep them clear of vegetation and reduce fire risk ahead of the warmer months. This is an important part of protecting these Regional Park spaces and keeping them safe for everyone to enjoy.

If you're visiting the forests, please keep an eye out for workers, vehicles and temporary signage, and follow any instructions on site.

Thanks for helping us keep our parks safe this fire season. 😊

06/09/2026

Update: Kaiapoi Island is open but please take care.
8/09/2026

⚠️ Kaiapoi Island closed ⚠️

Good morning park users. 🙋‍♀️

We've had to close Kaiapoi Island again due to the rain over the weekend - see map.

It's open at Te Rauakaka but downstream there's water, mud and silt making the road difficult to pass.

We'll keep you updated here. Stay warm and dry!

05/09/2026

🌱Another successful community planting this morning. Huge thanks to the 50+ volunteers who joined us in the park including the crew from Americold Logistics. Ngā mihi nui. 💚 Environment Canterbury

30/08/2026

KAIAPOI ISLAND AND TE RAUAKAAKA OPEN

Happy Monday!

We've reopened the park areas that were closed due to surface flooding last week.

There's some clean-up for us to do of course, and there's still a bit of water around so please be careful.

The Baynons arena is still closed to let the surface settle.

Enjoy your week!

28/08/2026

Baynons Brake Arena maintenance update

The improvements we made to the arena surface went well but we need to allow it some time to settle until the surface is established.

So, for now the arena area will remain closed but the track is open.

One of the next steps will be getting some grass in.

Thanks for your patience while we make these improvements. We know the arena is a valued community facility, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back once the work is complete.

27/08/2026

🚧 Temporary closures due to high river levels🚧
UPDATED 28/08/2026

High river levels have resulted in water covering parts of Kaiapoi Island AND Te Rauakaka - so we've closed them now to keep everyone safe.

Please respect all signage and barriers and avoid closed areas while conditions are being monitored.

We'll provide an update as soon as conditions improve and it is safe to reopen these areas.

Stay safe, warm and dry.🌧️

21/08/2026

Baynons Brake Arena maintenance next week

We're carrying out some maintenance work to improve the arena surface at Baynons Brake.

📅 When: Thursday 27 August and Friday 28 August 2026

To keep everyone safe while the work is underway, the arena will be closed during this time.

Thanks for your patience while we make these improvements. We know the arena is a valued community facility, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back once the work is complete. 😊

09/08/2026

A huge thank you to the 80+ volunteers who gave up their Sunday morning to support today's clean-up on the north bank of the Waimakariri River.

Special thanks to the Waimakariri Youth Council, Ecoeducate, the Leos from Rangiora High, the team from AMCOR, and members of the various Christchurch 4WD clubs who rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into the mahi.

Your dedication and commitment to (guardianship of our environment) is greatly appreciated. Together, you've helped make a real difference in protecting and caring for this awa 👏♻️
Environment Canterbury

05/08/2026

04/08/2026

McLeans Forest harvest - starting Wednesday 5 August.

Just a reminder there will be machinery moving in to begin the scheduled forestry harvest.

The Coringa Loop cycle track and a small section of walking track will be closed while the work takes place - all other tracks will remain open.

The stopbank track to the south of the area with remain open with managed access but will be closed for periods where tree felling is occurring nearby.

This harvest will end in October, we'll keep you updated.,

Please follow any instructions on signage to keep everyone safe.