News & Events

🌿 Waimakariri Environmental Awards 2026 🌿 Do you know an individual, youth group, organisation, or community project making a positive impact on the environment in the Waimakariri District? The 2026 Environmental Awards celebrate those championing conservation, restoration, sustainability, biodiversity, and environmental connection. Nominations and applications are now open, with entries closing at 5pm on 30 October 2026. Let's recognise the people and projects helping prot

Great new Canterbury Guide to our native plants and the beneficial insects they attract was launched this week. WBT thoroughly recommends this superb guide – the product of five years’ science from the Bioeconomy Science Institute, Canterbury farmers, primary industry bodies, local and regional councils, conservation trusts and planting design and establishment experts. Available as a gorgeous 142-page paperback or on-line version at the below link. Online guide found here.

Join the Waimakariri Biodiversity Trust for our third and final Winter Lecture Series. We have two exciting presentations to round the series off. Johnathon Ridden - Ecologist, Waimakariri District Council "Invertebrates are a vital part of our ecosystem, fulfilling many important roles. A range of rare, interesting, and iconic insects, spiders and molluscs call the Waimakariri District their home. From the ocean to the mountains, different invertebrates utilise a range of ha

Click here to view our August 2026 Newsletter and be sure to subscribe by clicking the link in the top left-hand corner to receive all future newsletters straight to your inbox.

Congratulations to Ellie Morgan for taking out first place in this years nature photo competition. We received a lot of excellent entries this year and are amazed at the amount of talented photographers in Waimakariri who keep a look out for our local wildlife. Check out all the winning photos here Ellie's winning photo - ' Heron on a mission. Taken at Kairaki'

We are excited to be running our third Waimakariri Nature Photo Competition with another great group of prizes thanks to our supporters. This year we have one all-ages open section. Explore our beautiful parks, reserves, or your own backyard this summer and enter your best photograph(s) of native birds, lizards, fish or insects, emphasising the Waimakariri landscape and habitat. ​ Win great prizes including a family pass to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and a framed print of

Daiken NZ is sponsoring the Waimakariri Biodiversity Trust, giving $15,000 over two years (mid 2025 to mid 2027) under the Restorative Justice programme following the effluent spill into the creek in 2023. The Trust is seeking applications for the purchase of native plants to be used alongside Saltwater Creek or within 200m of the main stem or tributaries.​ The objective of the fund is to support native biodiversity initiatives occurring within Daiken property boundaries, aim

Ashley-Rakahuri Rivercare Group is seeking volunteers for their annual bird survey on Saturday 15 November from 9am to 1pm starting from the Cones Rd Picnic Area. Photo by Ariane Please email your interest and include your phone number and they will be in contact with further details. The survey can take place in changeable weather and is in an environment with a rough walking surface and water hazards. Therefore, due to health and safety considerations, they have had to se

Click here to view our September 2025 Newsletter and be sure to subscribe by clicking the link in the top left hand corner to receive...

These awards were first awarded in 2023 by the Waimakariri Zone Committee. This year their management passed to the trust supported by...

We teamed up with MainPower, with support from the Waimakariri District Council, for a second year to offer a contestable fund of up to...

The Lees Road wetland planting at Kaiapoi on Saturday was a great success. Huge thanks to the dozen Student Volunteer Army folks who did...

Click here to view our April 2025 Newsletter and be sure to subscribe by clicking the link in the top left hand corner to receive all...

The Waimakariri Biodiversity Trust, with support from the Waimakariri District Council, has teamed up with MainPower to deliver the...