Reforesting New Zealand could start in the red zone
Christchurch’s Avon River red zone could kick-start an ambitious national goal of creating 1.3 million hectares of new
forest to improve health, wealth, and wellbeing, say Christchurch red zone campaigners.
Avon-Otakaro Network, Greening the Red Zone, and Avon-Otakaro Park congratulate business and environmental lobby group Pure Advantage on its ground-breaking discussion paper, Our Forest Future, released last week.
“This concept is so timely for Christchurch as we begin to decide the future of the red zone,” says Avon-Otakaro Network co-chair, Evan Smith. “It shows very clearly how Christchurch can be an environmental and economic leader in New
Zealand, by providing effective solutions to environmental challenges facing our city.”
Our Forest Future says all New Zealand will become wealthier in many ways if we achieve the goal of large scale
reforestation as we did in the past. “Once we take the perspective of the national interest, we see why good
environmental sense makes good economic sense, too,” it says.
It highlights three priority areas for reforestation: erosion-prone land, waterway margins, and urban forest.
“The Avon River red zone falls squarely into two of these three priority areas,” says Ashley Campbell of Greening the Red Zone. “Here’s our chance to lead the way for the rest of New Zealand, and show what environmental restoration can achieve.”
Our Forest Future also singles out Christchurch for special mention, saying the city’s existing trees create health
savings of $19.2 million, by taking harmful PM10 particulates out of the city’s air.
“Our research suggests this needs serious investigation,” says Ms Campbell. “With the winter pollution season about to begin again,
we really need to look at how an expansive native forest in the red zone could help to clean up our air.”
"We already have the beginnings of a forest from the amazing legacy of ex-residents gardens, let us build on that and
have something that will be of an enormous benefit to the city of Christchurch," says Denise Ford of Avon Otakaro Forest Park.
“We are actively involved in encouraging natural regeneration in the red zone with community volunteers. Participating
in these working bees gives people a feeling of positive involvement in the regeneration of the city.”
Local ecologist, Dr Colin Meurk adds, “accruing biodiversity and carbon credits now, is vital to the future of the
planet. We can create the first stepping stone for wildlife connectivity across the city and contribute to the national
forest target.
“We would focus on continuous-cover harvesting of indigenous noble trees that provide cultural resources, feed our bush
birds, accumulate permanent carbon and avoid dependence on hazardous chemical treatment.”
All three groups are urging Regenerate Christchurch and Gerry Brownlee, Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration,
to seriously consider how natural regeneration in the red zone could make the city healthier and wealthier – and
kick-start the movement to reforest New Zealand.
“Nowhere in New Zealand provides a greater immediate opportunity than the Ōtākaro / Avon River red zone to reforest
along waterways in an urban setting. We owe it to our grandkids to make this happen,” says Mr Smith.
ENDS