Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 10 December 2025
In early December last year, Department of Conservation biodiversity ranger Dean Turner was directing the aerial operations to fight the fire that burnt through the Craigieburn area, 100 km west of Christchurch.
The blaze burnt through 960 ha, including vast areas of mountain beech forest and about 100 ha of native tussock grassland in what’s known as ‘frost flats’ as well as wiping out many other rare native plants and animals. It was described as an ecological disaster for the area.
Dean Turner says looking at the landscape now, while there are still stark visual reminders of the devastation, there are also signs of new life.
“We are seeing the herbaceous species return on the leached terraces known as the ‘frost flats’ and this is really heartening as that ecosystem is diverse and specialised. Other species are returning too including spaniards, hebes, matagouri and kānuka. But one of the big issues is weeds coming back in the burned area, particularly lupins and broom.”
The fire burnt through conservation land but also reached Flock Hill Station, burning hundreds of hectares of farmland.
Anna Hill is the station’s biodiversity officer, and her husband Richie is the farm’s manager. Anna says early on, the community came together with passion to lean into the work of recovery and very quickly the Craigieburn Basin Restoration Trust (CBRT) was born.
“Everyone wanted to help, and DOC was very supportive from the outset. We now have a 100-year vision, focusing on restoring indigenous biodiversity, building strong partnerships, and creating a well-organised, funded operation that can go the distance.
“Now we’ve got farmers, local community-based organisations, scientists, iwi, DOC, regional and district councils, and volunteers all working together on pest and weed control, revegetation trials, baseline monitoring – the lot. It’s all about collaboration and getting the work done,” she says.
North Canterbury DOC ranger Emma Hunt works closely with the trust and says the group’s efforts to restore the land are bolstering the natural regeneration.
“The restoration planting work in other areas of the basin will speed up the natural regeneration process. They’re already doing amazing work collecting seeds and running seedling trials. The biggest thing will be their contribution to weed management as this lets native seedlings to come away faster.
“This is such a great example of locals taking action for nature – they have built an amazing network connecting with iwi and other volunteer groups and are so passionate about helping the whenua recover. Their love for the area is clear,” she says.
The Craigieburn Basin Restoration Trust ©
The CBRT is running a fundraising event on 24 January 2026, called Feel the Burn, says Anna Hill.
“The Feel the Burn trail run is a great way to get people out here and show them what we’re doing. The course goes over land that’s not usually open to the public and finishes through the burnt area so you can see first-hand why this work matters.
“It’s about raising awareness and some much-needed funds. We’re still a young organisation running mostly on volunteer effort, but we’re building something that’ll last. With the right support, we can make a real difference to this basin for the long term,” Anna says.
Emma Hunt says she’s incredibly impressed with how the community has come together to take ownership of helping the Craigieburn Basin recover.
“It’s so valuable for us. We are currently working towards a five-year authorisation for them to undertake their work and making sure that DOC’s work aligns with their plans. These people are true naturing heroes.”
For more information on the CBRT or the Feel the Burn trail run event
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