Rural kids persuade local council to investigate bylaw to stop vehicles killing endangered river birds

Thursday, 9 July 2026

Wrybills and black-fronted tern nest on Canterbury’s Ashley/Rakahuri River from September to January.

A group of North Canterbury pupils has persuaded their local council to investigate a bylaw to better protect endangered birds nesting on the Ashley/Rakahuri River.

During Tuesday’s Waimakariri District Council meeting, mayor Dan Gordon asked staff to prepare a report on the feasibility of introducing a seasonal bylaw after receiving a petition from pupils at Fernside School.

The year 2 and 3 pupils, who have been studying the Ashley/Rakahuri River through the school’s Enviroschools programme, launched the petition after learning about the threats facing braided river birds.

Black-billed gulls on the Ashley/Rakahuri River.

It calls for vehicle access to vulnerable parts of the river to be restricted during the breeding season, from September to January, alongside better signage, public education and stronger enforcement.

The petition, signed by about 250 people, says the riverbed is home to endangered native birds including the wrybill, black-fronted tern and kakī.

“These birds nest on the ground between September and January, making them especially vulnerable to disturbance from vehicles and dogs.

Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon has asked council staff to return with a report prompted by Fernside School’s petition.

“Even small disruptions can destroy nests, crush eggs or scare parents away, leaving chicks to perish.”

Gordon, who recently visited the school to hear the students present their research, praised their passion and the depth of their work.

“Protecting our braided rivers is something we all share.”

Camera footage from the Ashley/Rakahuri River last year shows trail bikes near a nesting bird.

He said it was important to encourage young people to take an interest in local democracy and asked staff to report back on whether the council had the legal authority to introduce a seasonal bylaw or whether responsibility rested with Environment Canterbury (ECan).

Councillor Bruce McLaren also praised the “future leaders”, saying some of their ideas would be difficult to implement in the short term but others were suggestions he had not previously considered.

The students worked alongside the Ashley/Rakahuri Rivercare Group, which has long raised concerns about vehicles driving through nesting areas.

ECan parks and forests team leader Karen Elliott welcomed the students' initiative, saying it had helped raise awareness about protecting braided river birds.

She said ECan already worked with the Ashley/Rakahuri Rivercare Group each nesting season by restricting vehicle access to key nesting areas, installing signage and educating the public.

“We support efforts to help the community understand how they can protect braided river birds, particularly by keeping vehicles out of active nesting areas, keeping dogs under control and giving birds plenty of space.”

Elliott said ECan was happy to continue working with the district council and other authorities, but any decision on a bylaw rested with the council.

The Ashley/Rakahuri Rivercare Group was unable to comment before deadline.

The group has also called for more predator control around the river. A recent study found cats and hedgehogs were the most common predators recorded at 58 monitored bird nests, and it has previously advocated compulsory microchipping and registration of cats living near the river.