More Protection for Wellington's Reserves

Wellington City Council has strengthened protection of the city's parks and reserves.

Major sections of the hills that make up the Outer Green Belt, behind Tawa, Broadmeadows, Khandallah, Ngaio, Karori, Brooklyn and Owhiro Bay - and more of the city's forest remnants - have been given reserve protection under the Reserves Act that until now had been presumed.

The move comes after a project to tidy up the classification of a number of parks and reserves. Some notable protections include:

Hue tē Taka Peninsula (Moa Point)

• Land around Old Coach Road, Johnsonville
• Forest remnants in Tawa, including the Wilf Mexted, Redwood Bush and Woodburn reserves
• Forest remnants in Newlands that include Seton Nossiter Park, Gilberd Bush and Waihinahina (in memory of Dennis Duggan)
• A number of playgrounds and sportsfields in Karori, Brooklyn, Broadmeadows,Churton Park, Newlands and Tawa.

Over the past few years, the Council has agreed to classify or reclassify more than 50 percent of the city's parks and reserves, or around 2,000 hectares, to give them greater protection under the Reserves Act.

The Council's Natural Environment Portfolio Leader, Councillor Helene Ritchie, says the changes represent a major advance in protecting Welllington's green image.

"I'm delighted that we have given extra protection to these important areas, which not only adds to our reserves network but further bolsters Wellington's green image."

"I also hope to extend these protections even more in the coming months with a special emphasis in the Northern Growth Management Plan."