Kaikōura Pine Forest Set For Native Regeneration

Friday, 29 August 2025, 2:04 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Kaikōura's councillors have backed a plan to regenerate the harvested South Bay Forest land. 

The South Bay Forest Reserve, which covers a 3km stretch from South Bay to the Kōwhai River, will be renamed Pōhowera Park after the banded dotterel or pōhowera seabirds which nest there. 

A masterplan has been prepared by Freeman Environmental, a local consultant, for the redevelopment of the site with a focus on native regeneration. It was approved at a council meeting on Wednesday, August 27. 

Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said Environment Canterbury staff and Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura have assisted in identifying suitable plant species for the site. 

‘‘We want to make sure we are not planting any weeds, but it doesn’t stop us from planting something which wasn’t there in the last 800 years.’’ 

The site includes a 12.6ha site which had been planted in radiata pines, with the harvest completed earlier this year. 

South Bay Forest Reserve is a popular recreation area for cyclists and walkers. 

It was the subject a reserve management plan, which was consulted on earlier this year. 

‘‘The intention was always to prepare a masterplan for that site to help put more specific detail and actions plans in place and to allow budget planning,’’ Mr Doughty said. 

A five to 10 year planting programme is proposed to replant 10ha of coastal bush. 

The masterplan identifies opportunities for new tracks, as well as maintaining existing cycling trails, frisbie golf and an enclosed dog park area. Opportunities for natural heritage and art are also being considered. 

The council has around $1.6m in reserves, including logging revenue, which will cover the costs for the first year of the project. 

Any future funding will be subject to the usual annual plan and Long Term Plan process, Mr Doughty said. 

He said there were opportunities for partnerships with local businesses and community groups such as Lions.

 ‘‘I’m not envisaging council will need to fund it in its entirety. There has already been a bit of interest from volunteers and businesses.’’ 

Weed control work is expected to get under way soon, with planting likely to begin in the autumn. 

The total area covers 70ha, include reserve of 16.7ha, which is a mix of council and Crown land, the Kōwhai River land (25.5ha administered by ECan) and the beach area. 

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

© Scoop Media

Local Democracy Reporting

Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.