Avon-Otakaro Forest Park​

In 2010-2011, residential land along the Avon-Otakaro River was so badly damaged during the Christchurch earthquakes that the Government declared it uninhabitable. This area, 450 hectares, became the Avon River Red Zone. The Crown bought the properties and demolished the houses. The future of this Avon River residential red zone land is now in the Government's hands.

​Greening the Red Zone is an incorporated society. Its members are scientists, conservationists, former residents of the Avon River Red Zone, neighbours of the Avon River Red Zone and others. Together we promote an economically viable, community-focused, and environmentally sound future for the Avon River Red Zone and our city. ​ 

Before the colonial settlement of Christchurch, the banks and floodplains of the Avon-Otakaro River were densely clad in native reeds, harakeke, and toetoe, with patches of forest and wetlands along the river’s edge.

We believe this red zone land should be returned to nature – to create a large, vibrant city-to-sea native forest park along the Avon-Otakaro River. This broad riparian buffer will protect our people and enhance our city. It will also create an ecological paradise for native animals and a clean, green forest and wetland park to be enjoyed by all.

We call this paradise Avon-Otakaro Forest Park.

With others working on this concept, we present to you – the people of Christchurch, and those who will decide the future of the Avon River Red Zone – this cohesive, integrated, sustainable and achievable vision of an amazing asset for the people of Christchurch.

Contributors