This is Avon Park, where Christchurch City Council has recently completed a major project to re-engage the river with its floodplain. This involved pushing stopbanks further from the river, grading the banks to a low angle, removing the road beside the stopbanks, and gently excavating land to develop a large riparian wetland. New ground levels allow river water to enter the wetland during floods and spring tides (when this video was shot). The gentle bank gradient provides a wide riparian zone that can be maintained as sea levels rise. This project is one of many being developed along the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor, as part of the post-earthquake regeneration plan.

Instream provided ecology input to this project several years ago, so got a real kick out of seeing the spring tide flow into the wetland today. Hats off to the many people involved, including Dave Little at the council, plus Nik Kneale and the Isthmus design team. Also, all credit to Derek Gerber, drone pilot and videographer extraordinaire.