We have developed a planting plan and guidelines for the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River.

Council staff have been working with and supporting volunteer groups, and schools, to plant public spaces along the Ōpāwaho Heathcote river corridor. The purpose of the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Planting Plan is to provide these volunteer groups, as well future groups, with further areas suitable for restoration planting.

From Tunnel Road in Woolston to Spreydon Domain in Somerfield the plan identifies 24 areas to be planted, and provides guidelines on which plant group types should be incorporated into each of those areas.

The proposal aims to significantly increase planting along the river while balancing other objectives such as the retention of views of the water.

Through the provision of clear planting guidelines and pre-approval of a large number of planting locations, the plan will provide certainty and direction to volunteer community groups and kura (schools) wishing to undertake restoration planting along the river.

The plan also incorporates and aligns with existing approved plans for the awa (river) including:

• Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Catchment - Tuaki Wai Pataua Vision and Values 2016
• Ōpāwaho Lower Heathcote Guidance Plan 2022
• Mid Heathcote River/Ōpāwaho Linear Park Masterplan April 2009
• Restoration planting also aligns with the Mahaanui Management Plan and the city's Urban Forest Plan.

Click on each of the titles below to see the plant group types and area maps.

We are aware that riverside plantings can have a negative impact on some people. These negative impacts can be avoided through carefully selecting the right plants in the right places to complement the local river flows and environment, and provide sight lines through to pathways and the river. We have developed a planting guideline to provide guidance to planting groups on which plant types are appropriate to use in each identified planting area.

The guideline sets out direction on how to choose specific plants for each of the identified planting areas to support Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), access and use of the river and maintenance within the planted sites. The guideline provides general information for all sites, and for some sites there is additional specific advice.

The guideline will also provide a list of plant species appropriate for each planting group type.

We have developed four plant types suitable to plant along the river that meet the objectives of the Urban Forest Plan, and supports a healthy waterway, increased biodiversity and canopy cover, and recognises cultural needs, flood management, and the maintenance of river views from adjacent roads and pathways.

The following image provides a graphical cross section of plant group types across the river to show example of their preferred location within the river banks and reserves.

From Tunnel Road in Woolston to Spreydon Domain in Somerfield there are 24 areas we have identified for planting. You can view each of the planting areas below or download the pdf of all proposed sites.

Click on any area map below to open it in full screen view. There are buttons at the top of the screen to zoom in on the map and view the proposed plant group types for each area and arrows on either side to scroll between the maps.