Volunteers Lead The Way On Port Hills   

Port Hills 2000's Whaka Raupo project is on track after a marathon effort bySummit Road Society volunteers. Led by John Willocks, up to 25 people have given one morning every fortnight for the last year to create a path from Harmans Road near Lyttelton to the top track at the Summit of the Port Hills.

Whaka Raupo reserve and Castle Rock reserve, which meet on the Summit, are two Port Hills 2000 projects. Contracts have now been let to fence and clear areas for native planting on both reserves, and schools and other interested groups have volunteered to take part in Arbor Day plantings. The Community Trust and Lannen Plant Systems have provided significant assistance with funding and plants. Kowhai trees are expected to be planted along the Bridle Path by women's groups to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first European settlers. Remaining planting and maintenance work will be contracted out.

Port Hills 2000 is one of Turning Point 2000's 14 advisory groups whose job is to lead, co-ordinate and facilitate events and projects for the year 2000 in Christchurch and Canterbury. Port Hills 2000 has three other projects: creation of a breeding area for the rare white-flippered penguin at Godley Head, the regeneration of the Crater Rim forest near Cass Peak and the Mt Vernon disabled access way. Several smaller schemes are incorporated within these projects, with planning for a Maori medicinal garden and a flax garden well underway. A comprehensive guide book on the Port Hills will provide information for all users of the hills. The book is being written by Gordon Ogilvie and is expected to raise much-needed funds. For more information on Turning Point 2000 and Port Hills 2000 projects visit the website www.tp2000.org.nz  or contact Turning Point 2000 (03 379 2008), PO Box 237 Christchurch.

Jill McCaw