New Funding Boost Supports Restoration of Robinson Kakahu Wetland
Christchurch, New Zealand — Port Blakely’s restoration efforts at the Robinson Kakahu Wetland were featured in a recent Environment Canterbury article (June 26, 2025), which features a $5,000 contribution from the Ōrāri Temuka Ōpihi Pareora (OTOP) Water Zone Committee. This funding will enhance the ongoing restoration of the 16-hectare inland wetland in the Geraldine region, a project that Port Blakely has been leading since 2020.
The site, once used for cattle grazing, is being transformed into a thriving wetland ecosystem. The latest funding will support increased planting and maintenance through 2025, contributing to improved water quality, boosted native biodiversity, and the reconnection of vital habitat corridors.
“This support reinforces the collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors in restoring important ecological sites,” said Sherilyn Byron, Port Blakely’s health, safety and environmental manager for New Zealand. “We appreciate the OTOP Committee’s recognition of the work being done at Robinson Kakahu Wetland and their contribution to advancing it further.”
A key goal of the project is to create a habitat for native wildlife, including the critically endangered long-tailed pekapeka (bat), which has been observed roosting in Port Blakely’s nearby Geraldine forests. Restoring the wetland and surrounding vegetation will help establish ecological corridors that support species survival.
To date, more than 16,000 native plants—such as kahikatea, mataī, and carex sedges—have been planted. These species were chosen for their ecological suitability to wetland environments and their significance to local mahinga kai values.
“Our approach is long-term. Establishing native plants is just the first step,” Byron added. “We are equally committed to ongoing care, including weed control and monitoring, to ensure that the restored ecosystems can thrive.”