The South Branch / Otukaikino Stream – Club Stream Cleaning in July
When we go to an area like the Groynes we can see that it’s popular but if you don’t really give it a thought it’s just a park with a river running through it, right. Oh how wrong that is. Obviously the general public use this area for multiple things. Staff or family picnics, exercising the dog, fishing, etc, but I had no idea how many organised groups use this park. Dragon boating, Jet Ski, Canoe Polo, Kayak clubs, Dog clubs, walking groups, fishing clubs, remote control car club, Scouts, Girl Guides, schools and corporate groups to name a few. And all of these clubs claim that the facilities they have are the best in NZ. Some are even holding national events there. The Kayak club have a permanent slalom course, there is cross country running track, an orienteering course and the largest dog park in NZ. There is a motorway being built right through the park but this will not be as bad as it sounds. Land Transport have worked closely with the council and disruption to the park will be minimal.
You would naturally assume the Christchurch City Council are responsible for the Groynes and in a way they are but the Groynes would not be what it is without a lot of input from many, many other parties. The neighbouring land owners have all worked to fence stock of the river and clearing and planting the river banks. The user groups themselves, us included, have provided volunteer work and some of them finance, to carry out projects and funding from other sponsors is also available. A huge majority of the labour is provided by the Corrections Department with the PD gangs. I was surprised that the Corrections officers were as passionate about the projects as the council rangers. Sadly we are at risk of losing a chunk of their support due to council budget cuts. A council rep did say there would be an opportunity to put in a submission regarding this so we’ll keep you posted.
If you didn’t know the Otukaikino River was voted New Zealand’s most improved river this year. To keep it that way we need more input, not less. It’s Christchurch’s best kept secret and we do need to keep involved. A couple of times a year the Canterbury Fly Fishing Club help with stream clearing so keep an eye out for dates coming up over winter. If you’re looking for a place to fish close to home you won’t find better. Enjoy.