Whitebaiters' vehicles banned from Christchurch's Avon River red zone

Whitebait fisherman will need to walk 200-300m to access their favourite spot in the Avon River regeneration area. Photo / NZME

Whitebaiters will no longer be allowed to drive vehicles through the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor Regeneration Area to access the river when the season starts on September 1.

Christchurch City Council head of parks Andrew Rutledge said whitebaiters can still access the river but will need to walk from public roads to their spots.

"The OARC is becoming increasingly popular with recreational users, and allowing vehicles to operate inside the regeneration area where people aren't expecting them creates health and safety issues for everyone," said Rutledge.

"While the vast majority of whitebaiters have used the regeneration area responsibly, last year we received several complaints of vehicles speeding in the area, which increased the risks to dog-walkers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The whitebait season opens on September 1. Photo / NZME

"The regeneration area needs to be a safe public space for all users."

Rutledge said the Ōtākaro Avon River is a valuable resource and Ngāi Tahu's values of mahinga kai are strongly represented in the regeneration plan for the area.

"As such, whitebaiters will always be welcome to fish the river during the season, but they'll now need to park on the road and walk 200m to 300m to access their spot."

Rutledge says whitebaiters can still use their vehicles to access the Ōtākaro Avon River where public roads run along the river's banks, such as along Avonside Drive to Kerrs Reach and Retreat Rd.

The previous landowners, Toitū Te Whenua/Land Information New Zealand, would lease keys to whitebaiters so they could use their vehicles to access the Ōtākaro Avon River.

The city council has continued this for the past two years since taking over the management of the OARC.

The Department of Conservation has also shortened the 2022 whitebait season to eight weeks, from September 1 to October 30. The season previously ran from mid-August to the end of November.