The vision of the Trust is to create a greenway – A network of patches and corridors for native wildlife that spans across the Canterbury Plains from the mountains to the sea, created by the people who live here and for the benefit of current and future generations. This will be achieved by TAK working collaboratively with individuals, landowners and organisations.
The boundaries of this concept are between the Waimakariri and Rakaia Rivers, and focuses on dryland habitat within this area.
A variety of organisations also work on biodiversity issues across this area including:
- The Department of Conservation in the mountain area as well as around Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and Banks Peninsula
- Te Runanga o Ngāi Tahu and Ngā Papatipu Runanga around Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere), Wairewa (Lake Forsyth), Akaroa Harbour, Whakaraupo (Lyttelton Harbour), Te Ihutai (Avon-Heathcote Estuary) and Koukourārata (Port Levy)
- The Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust on Te Pātaka o Rākaihautu/Banks Peninsula.
- Kaupapa Kereru and Tui Restoration Projects on the Peninsula
- The Waihora Ellesmere Trust around the lake and catchment
- The Christchurch City Council across Christchurch City and Banks Peninsula
- Te Ihutai Trust around the Avon-Heathcote Estuary and catchment
- Selwyn District Council within the district
- Environment Canterbury across the region
Te Ara Kākāriki: Greenway Canterbury have responded to a gap of activity on the plains, particularly around native dryland plant communities, and seeks to provide a community initiative to complement current efforts of other organisations in the Plains area.
TAK aims to:
- foster widespread interest in native plants and enthusiasm for native plant communities and their associated biodiversity;
- broker resources for native plant projects in the working landscapes of the Canterbury Plains, and
- conserve our natural heritage and natural ecosystems, while enhancing the cultural, social and economic values.
To achieve our goals, Te Ara Kākāriki is involved in;
- Greendot plantings in and with our communities
- Provision of extension and education
- Making resources available
- Bringing scientists and science into our work, such examples include; Professor Ian Spellerberg from Lincoln University and Dr Colin Meurk from Landcare Research