The Summit Road Society has a proud history of voluntary work on Christchurch’s Port Hills. In its early years, members, some of whom were ex-mountaineers wanting a challenge on our local hills, repaired fences and stiles, rediscovered and cleared overgrown tracks, developed planting skills and learnt how to deal with plant and animal pests. These skills have been passed on to our current teams of volunteers.

There are three groups, and new volunteers are always welcome:

The Eastenders: A group of about 30 who work mainly on City Council and Department of Conservation reserves and tracks from from Godley Head to Scott Reserve. They meet twice a month on Monday morning.

Contact Graeme Paltridge on 021 0825 3931 or graeme_sue@slingshot.co.nz

Linda Woods Reserve: This is our new reserve in Heathcote. The group meets weekly on a Wednesday morning. Work includes reserve maintenance, weeding, planting and maintenance of new plantings and track work.

Contact Graeme Paltridge on 021 0825 3931 or graeme_sue@slingshot.co.nz

Omahu Bush: A small group that meets twice a month on a Friday to carry out track maintenance, weeding and animal pest control in the regenerating and remnant native forest and silver tussock and at the prominent Gibraltar Rock, at the Gebbies Pass end of the Port Hills.

Contact Ian Johnston on (03) 332 8319 or iankjohnston68@gmail.com

Ohinetahi Bush: This is the steep hillside above Governors Bay, a mixture of regenerating native forest, tussock and rocky outcrops and bluffs. The team meets every Tuesday, carrying out track maintenance, weeding, animal pest control and some winter planting.

Contact Anne Kennedy on (03) 337 0364 or kennedyz@xtra.co.nz