Canterbury riparian

A riparian zone is the interface between land and a river or stream

Waterways include rivers, streams, creeks, drains, ponds, swamps and wetlands that go through or border a farm – basically anywhere that natural water runs or ponds. The area beside waterways that forms the connection between water and land is the riparian or waterway margin.

Riparian zones can be used to maintain and improve water quality. Once fenced and planted, they filter phosphorus, sediment and bacteria that leave the land as runoff. Healthy riparian zones will improve the health of your waterway.

Having a plan is the key to getting value for your money and doing it right the first time. Your riparian planting plan should cover the three steps of fencing, planting and maintaining your riparian zones.

An Environment Canterbury biodiversity officer or land management advisor can answer questions you have about fencing and riparian planting during a property visit. They can help develop riparian plans with you, tailored to your needs. It’s free and it’s the best way to find out what funding or support is available.

RESOURCES ON RIPARIAN ZONES

Christchurch City Council Riparian planting.pdf
Dairy New Zealand Getting riparian planting right.pdf
Environment Canterbury Living streams handbook.pdf

THE BENEFITS OF RESTORING A CANTERBURY RIPARIAN ZONE

Improvements in water quality
Vegetation traps sediment
Reduction in water temperature
Filters water before entering stream
Minimises erosion
Reduction of flood impacts
Provide food and cover and habitat for wildlife
Enhances landscape

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CANTERBURY RIPARIAN ZONES

If you would like to learn more about riparian zones within the Canterbury area, such as how to restore or preserve them, our friendly team at Goughs Nurseries would be more than happy to assist. We also offer a range of native plants for sale grown directly from our nurseries. Contact us today by calling 022 1907 542, by sending an email to sales@goughsnurseries.co.nz, or by leaving your details and queries on our simple online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you.

Source: Wetland and river/stream margin native plants : DOC

Trees/Shrubs	Grasses/Flaxes
Coprosma propinqua, mingmingi	Apodasmia similis, oioi, jointed wire rush
Coprosma robusta, karamu	Austroderia richardii, toetoe
Cordyline australis, cabbage tree	Baumea rubiginosa New Zealand sedge
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides, kahikatea, white pine	Bolboschoenus caldwellii purua, sedge
Elaeocarpus hookerianus pökäkä	Bulbinella angustifolia Mäori onion
Griselinia littoralis	Carex buchananii, matirewa, cutty grass
Hebe salicifolia, koromiko	Carex flagellifera, mänia, tussock grass
Hoheria angustifolia	Carex flaviformis pürei, yellow sedge
Leptinella dioica	Carex geminata rautahi, cutty grass
Leptospermum scoparium, manuka, tea tree	Carex maorica
Lophomyrtus obcordata röhutu	Carex secta, pükio
Olearia paniculata	Carex solandri
Pittosporum tenuifolium, köhühu, black matipo	Carex virgata, swamp sedge
Plagianthus regius	Cyperus ustulatus, toetoewhatu, giant umbrella sedge
	Eleocharis acuta, sharp spike sedge
	Juncus caespiticius wï, grass-leaved rush
	Juncus edgariae, wï, leafless rush
	Juncus pallidus wï, giant rush, leafless rush
	Machaerina rubiginosa
	Phormium tenax, harakeke, New Zealand flax
	Schoenoplectus pungens three square
	Schoenoplectus validus lake clubrush
	Schoenus pauciflorus
	Zotovia avenacea pätïtï, bush rice grass

PLANT NAME (T = threatened, R = rare)