Fire spares prized ecological areas

Some of the most prized ecological areas on the Port Hills in Christchurch have escaped the February fire largely unscathed. Christchurch City Council Regional Parks Operations Manager Kay Holder said early assessments of the damage to Councilowned reserve land showed the damage was not as bad as initially feared, with some of the highly valued areas spared from the flames. Di Carter, the Council’s Port Hills and Peninsula Rangers Project Manager said Council land had escaped much of the major fire damage. “Our most valuable natural areas of mature podocarp/ hardwood forest, where 700/800 year old tōtara, mataī and kahikatea stand tall, have been spared, to the great relief of all,” Ms Carter said.