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Regional parks notices
Ashley Rakahuri
What: We're going to be carrying out inspections of culverts using a CCTV camera van operating along the stopbank, in the areas marked red on the map. The inspections help us check the condition of culverts that are part of the flood protection system and plan future maintenance. A vehicle and crew will be present while inspections take place.
Where: Along sections of the Ashley stopbank, including areas where public walking and cycling tracks are located. See map.
When: Starting Monday 16 March, with work expected to take approximately one week, weather permitting.
🚧While the work is underway, there may be minor disruption for track users. Please take care around the vehicle and crew.
View area of Ashley River Culvert inspections
Taylors Road to Smiths Stream
We’re carrying out staged tree clearance, track upgrades, and vegetation works to improve visibility and access along the river corridor and make it safer for everyone using the park.
This work includes removing dead, sick, and overhanging trees, improving sightlines at entrances, and upgrading tracks where needed.
Temporary closures are required while machinery is operating to make sure the work can be carried out safely.
Stage 1 – Taylors Road entrance
What is happening
- Overhanging trees and any dead or sick trees will be removed at the Taylors Road entrance
- Vegetation will be cut back to improve sightlines
- Bollards and rope fencing will be moved further back
- A digger will be on site felling and processing trees, with spotters present to manage access as needed
Access changes
- The Taylors Road gate will be closed during this stage
- Park access will remain available from Main North Road via the river track (Hays Road)
Stage 2 – Upstream towards Smiths Stream
What is happening
Once the Taylors Road entrance works are complete, work will move upstream towards Smiths Stream to remove additional overhanging and problematic willow trees.
Access changes
- Taylors Road will reopen once works at the entrance/intersection are complete
- The road and track from Smiths Stream westward will be temporarily closed while this work is underway
- Once this section is finished and works move beyond the motorbike area, access will return to normal
Weedons Ross trailbike closure
30 October 2025
A section of the trailbike track at Weedons Ross Road has been closed until further notice, due to fallen and dangerous trees following wind events.
The rest of the track remains open.
Asbestos in Waimakariri River Regional Park
6 September 2023
Asbestos-containing material (ACM) has been discovered in an old dumping site in Waimakariri River Regional Park.
We have been advised by contaminated land experts that as long as the material remains undisturbed, the risk to human health is very low.
The contaminated area is on the north bank of the Waimakariri River, west of Downs Road (see map). The park will remain open, but please avoid this area. Warning signage has been placed in the area.
Asbestos is very harmful to human health. To minimise harm, please do not disturb or come into contact with the waste in any way.
Update April 2024: The site remains closed to the public. We have completed the initial minor clean-up near the site, which targeted the asbestos-containing material at the bottom of the slope.
We are working on a long-term plan for the contaminated material and will provide an update when possible.