Native bush areas

Healthy bush area

Before the arrival of humans, much of the Wellington region was covered in native bush. Today less than 25% remains, often as scattered bush blocks.

These scattered blocks are very important. They provide habitat (homes and food) for our native birds and insects, help protect our soils from erosion and add to the visual diversity of our landscape.

Many landowners appreciate the value of bush blocks on their land and wish to legally protect them for future generations and manage the threats posed by introduced animals and plants (such as possums and old man’s beard).

Greater Wellington recognises that some landowners may need advice or a helping hand and has a range of programmes available depending on how special the bush area is:

• Enquiry line. If you have questions about the protection or management of bush areas you can email biodiversity@gw.govt.nz
• Advisory programme. We can provide over the telephone or on-site management and restoration advice
• Covenanting programme. We can provide advice on legal protection options and, in some cases, financial assistance with covenanting with QEII National Trust.

We’ve put together a booklet on tips and techniques of managing bush blocks called Managing your bush block: a guide to looking after indigenous forest remnants in the Wellington region. This is available free of charge from Greater Wellington by emailing publications@gw.govt.nz.

Another publication that contains a wealth of information on managing native forest is Bush Vitality Assessment: Growing Common Futures. For further information on its contents and how to purchase a copy visit www.bushvitality.org.nz