Apr 15, 2026

A new emergency fund has been launched to restore popular walking and cycling tracks on Banks Peninsula following severe storm damage earlier this year.

Heavy rainfall on 17 February caused flash flooding and landslides across Banks Peninsula, forcing the closure of key sections of the recreational trail network and cutting off access for local communities, visitors, and conservation groups.

Kura Tāwhiti – Canterbury Community Foundation has partnered with the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust to establish the February 2026 Storm Damage Repair Fund, with a goal of raising $200,000 to accelerate urgent repairs and reopen affected tracks.

The Rod Donald Trust will distribute donations to local conservation organisations, including Te Ahu Pātiki Charitable Trust, Orton Bradley Park, Living Springs, Summit Road Society, and Mikimiki Conservation Trust.

Christchurch City Council Head of Community Support and Partnerships, John Filsell, said the fund will help the community groups who have rolled up their sleeves to repair tracks and protect the natural environment on Banks Peninsula.

“The February storm caused significant damage which the community is still recovering from, and there is substantial work still to go to reinstate access. Partnerships like this help ensure we can recover faster, protect biodiversity, and keep these well-loved tracks open and safe into the future.”

Repairing and strengthening the damaged network is expected to cost more than $500,000. Without additional funding, track reopening and ongoing recovery could be significantly delayed.

Rod Donald Trust Manager, Shelley Washington, says that while some of the groups have managed to repair their tracks already, it means they have less for conservation work, and other repairs have stalled. “Providing a donation is a great way for the public to help community groups continue providing these low-cost recreation opportunities on the Peninsula.”

Donations will support immediate repairs, improve resilience against future weather events, and enable conservation work such as pest and weed control to continue.

Kura Tāwhiti Foundation CEO, Lynne Umbers, says they are pleased to partner with Rod Donald Trust to support fundraising to repair the well-loved and well-used tracks across Banks Peninsula. “We acknowledge all the groups working to 'bring back our tracks' so we can all continue to get out and enjoy walking and cycling across this special region.”

The fund will remain open until 30 June 2026. Any remaining funds will be allocated to ongoing disaster response and preparedness efforts in the region.

Notes:

About Kura Tāwhiti – Canterbury Community Foundation

Kura Tāwhiti – Canterbury Community Foundation is the community foundation for Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri districts. We support people and organisations from all walks of life to achieve their philanthropic ambitions. Part of this is ensuring we are ready to provide rapid financial support to our community when significant local emergencies occur. In these situations, we may activate a targeted emergency fund to enable timely relief and recovery.

Community foundations serve as vital infrastructure for local philanthropy, providing tax effective vehicles for giving and professional fund management that creates lasting impact. Throughout New Zealand, 18 community foundations are successfully connecting donors with local causes and building permanent endowment funds that will benefit communities for generations to come.

About Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust

The Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust is a charitable organisation established in 2010 to enhance public access, protect biodiversity, and support sustainable management across Banks

Peninsula. Working in partnership with local communities, mana whenua and other agencies, the Trust leads projects that restore native ecosystems, develop walking and cycling trails, and foster long-term environmental stewardship for the benefit of current and future generations.

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