The Avon River Red Zone
Regenerate Christchurch residential red zone resources
Access and download land information and other resources about the Avon River red zone.
First steps for Christchurch red zones announced
New details about the future use of Christchurch's red zone are being hailed as progress, despite no completion date or funds for the project. Read more...
Red Zone – What is its future?
In the heart of Christchurch, a 440ha tract of land awaits decisions for its future. Watch the video...
Christchurch's game of zones
The future of a corridor of land in Christchurch's red zone hangs in the balance. Read more...
Christchurch locals still want a clean, green, garden city
The crystal clear message that came back was tha respondents want a "clean, green" city. Read more...
The Big Read: Last on the land
"This was my grandmother's house," says Dr Annette Wilkes, 75, Red Zone resident of Christchurch, spanner-in-the-works and one of the few remaining residents of Dallington. Read more...
Five years on, the red zone is green
Christchurch's red zone is now green. For five years we have watched nature's inexorable reclamation of the land that once held nearly 8000 houses. Read more...
Time to loosen Christchurch's Victorian corset
When our Victorian forebears crested the summit of the Bridle Path, they looked down upon a swampy, scrubby plain, "ripe for development". Read more...
Christchurch's Avon River – a story of shameful neglect
Evan Smith says something has to be done about the state of the Avon River. Read more...
Avon River
Much of the Avon, outside the CBD is seriously polluted. Teoti Jardine and Prof Bryan Jenkins talk to Wallace Chapman. Listen to their interview...
The taniwha of the red zone lands
Attempts at commercial or residential development will be met with anger. Read more...
What should be done with the red zone?
Community leaders speak about their hopes for the area. Read more...
Green dreams for river red zone
What the red zone might look like if the Government permits the dreamers to act. Read more...
Christchurch ecosystem map
This map from landscape architects Lucas Associates shows what different species would grow in different parts of the red zone, and the rest of Christchurch.
Avon petition heads to Parliament
A petition calling for red-zoned parts of Christchurch to be turned into a park will be presented to Parliament. Read more...
Visions of Avon's future
Benefits of working with nature
Cities enlist nature to tame rising flood risks
Detroit, Philadelphia, and Houston are among the places investing in "green infrastructure" that mimics wetlands. It can be cheaper than the alterntaive, given the threat posed by climate change. Read more...
The importance of urban forests: why money really does grow on trees
Mature trees clean air, lower stress, boost happiness, reduce flood risk – and even save municipal money. So why are they cut down when cities develop? Read more...
Urban form – Living with nature in the age of ecological restoration
In many cities in New Zealand – despite all the pressures – it is entirely possible to live alongside endangered native species. Read more...
Georgia school ensures kids connect with nature – and go home dirty
"We believe with all our hearts that children learn better when they're out in nature." Read more...
Our Forest Future
This discussion paper makes the case for how we can make our country wealthier, and how we can secure our nation against various risks, by expanding our forests. Read more...
What hiking does to the brain is pretty amazing
Those people who took the natural walk showed far lower levels of brooding, or obsessive worry. Read more...
Why restoring nature could be the key to fighting climate change
'It’s a solution that's available now'. Read more...
How a Yorkshire town worked with nature to stay dry
While much of the north of England was flooded, one town stayed dry, because it worked with nature, not against it. Read more...
This is your brain on nature
When we get closer to nature we do our overstressed brains a favour. Read more...
Trees in urban environments
Ian Spellerberg explains all the benefits of trees in cities. Read more...
Neighborhood greenspace and health in a large urban center
Having 10 more trees in a city block gives the same health advantages as a $10,000 increase in income. Read more...
Helping farm sustainability in Waiuku
A farmer explains how returning some land to wetland makes economic sense – and brings the whitebait back. Watch the video...
How nature can help civilize our cities
People who spend time in more natural environments in cities tend to nurture closer relationships with fellow human beings. Read more...
Getting kids outdoors makes them happier, healthier – and smarter
Time in nature not only helps children be healthier and happier, but is also essential to their cognitive development. Read more...