Sponsoring the boardwalk

Your path to a piece of history

Fly down with us to see where you could immortalise yourself in the bush. Click on a marker to find out more.

Areas for board walk sponsorship

By sponsoring a board you'll help up preserve this native landscape for future generations. Your name, or the giftees name and a dedication will be added to our digital donor board. The digital donor board will show what area of the Bush you have sponsored a board in. The boards themselves will have no markings.

Ti Kouka Wetland

This area highlights the subtle variations of plant species within the bush due to environmental conditions. It also gives you a glimpse of how wert and swampy Putaringamotu Riccarton Bush used to be.

Curly Root Kahikatea

This excellent area will be enlarged slightly to improve educational visits as this site allows you to see the layers of the forest and the structure and mechanics behind the swamp-adapted Kahikatea.

The Grove

The grove will be developed to be a larger space with the capacity to hold larger groups and a variety of functions. The new design will divert all visitors through this space. Being at the heart of the forest, the grove allows visitors to see the primeval Kahikatea trees up close.

Restoration Area

This area highlights the susceptibility of natural area to human modification but also showcases the positive impact restoration and management efforts can have.

Childrens Nature Learning Area

This will be a space for formal and informal learning with the capacity to support visiting school groups. The space will be an immersive sensory experience, allowing children to explore the elements found in Putaringamotu Riccarton Bush.

Sponsor a Board on the Boardwalk

Our Latest Board Sponsors

A huge thank you to all the wonderful people that have purchased a board

Graeme Sharp

March 13, 2025

Diane Brandish

March 13, 2025

George Brandish

March 13, 2025

Tom Brandish

March 13, 2025

See All Our Board Sponsors

A major enhancement project

A project for a hugely significant site, both ecologically and culturally.

Ecological significance

Pūtaringamotu is hugely significant, ecologically and culturally. It is the largest remnant of alluvial podocarp forest on the lower Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula, a forest type that today only covers a tiny fraction of its former extent.

Cultural significance

It is a key Mahinga Kai site for Ngai Tūāhuriri, and the place of first permanent European settlement in Otautahi. It was gifted to the people of Christchurch by the Deans family on the 2nd of November, 1914.

Protecting native wildlife

Our native birds, insects and geckos are protected by our predator proof fence. Kereru, Bellbird, Fantail and Grey Warbler are some of the birds that call our place home.

Our mission

The Riccarton Bush Trust is charged with protecting and enhancing Pūtaringamotu Riccarton Bush as well as promoting and enhancing its natural and cultural heritage.

How your sponsorship will help the bush and the wildlife

We need your help to protect, conserve and enhance Pūtaringamotu Riccarton Bush.

Integrate Ngāi Tūāhuriri narratives

Through the Pūtaringamotu Riccarton Bush enhancement project we aim to integrate Ngāi Tūāhuriri narratives, values and associations through design, art, entrance experience and interpretation.

Upgrade Track

There are nearly 900 metres of tracks to enjoy with it all being flat and accessible to most. Areas of the boardwalk are starting to fail, and concrete paths have become displaced and uneven and creating a tripping hazard.

Develop new areas

In areas of the bush such as the Grove, we aim to create a world-class are to support larger groups visiting. This will help to educate our visitors on the cultural significance of this special heritage site.

Our Funding Partners

The Riccarton Bush Trust is deeply appreciative of the generous assistance given. The Trust would like to thank the following organisations who are working with us on this exciting project.