Our Greenspace staff were dismayed to discover significant damage to trees and vegetation at Matawai Park in Rangiora earlier this week.

Matawai Park is protected and classed as a Scenic Reserve under the Reserves Management Act. This means that damaging or cutting down trees or any other vegetation isn’t allowed.

Grant Macleod, Greenspace Manager says, “The Matawai Park Advisory Group have worked hard over the last 40 years, planting a wide range of native trees and plants to create an urban forest to reflect what was once growing in the area. While the activity in question is suited to parks, this isn’t the right one and if people are keen to see this sort of facility please give the Greenspace team a call.”

It appears that the trees and vegetation have been damaged or removed to make bike tracks and jumps.  Contractors have removed jumps, fenced off the track and will be replacing destroyed trees with seedlings.

Residents and people who use the park are asked to report any activity like this by calling 0800 965 468 or by using our Snap Send Solve app.

The Council asks that the Districts parks and reserves are cared for and to make use of the Ashley Rakahuri and Waimakariri River Regional Parks as well as the Tuhaitara Coastal Park for off road bike riding.