Caring for the environment, Land drainage, sustainability, Water  |  3 Sep 2025

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Christchurch’s Te Kuru wetland has received international recognition for its innovative approach to stormwater management.

The 110-hectare wetland in Christchurch’s southwest can store over one million cubic metres of floodwater, reducing flood risks and improving runoff treatment.

The stormwater management project was awarded two major honours at the IPWEA Australasia Public Works Awards - the Best Public Works Project and the IPWEA Australasia Public Works Project of Year 2025.

The Te Kuru Wetlands project has only recently received two prestigious national awards from IPWEA New Zealand in May this year.

Christchurch City Council Head of Three Waters Gavin Hutchison says it’s fantastic to see this essential project getting well-deserved recognition.

“Being awarded this honour is a great reflection of the value delivered through this innovative approach towards stormwater management.

“Te Kuru is of huge benefit to the local community, extending across flood management, environmental, social and community dimensions.”

Te Kuru was opened in October 2024, featuring expansive wetland areas, stormwater storage, and filtration basins. 

The wetlands include 150,000 native trees, 650,000 native plants, over 3km of restored streams and 14km of shared recreational paths for pedestrians and cyclists.

Mr Hutchison says the project has made remarkable progress in achieving its objectives, shown throughout recent weather events in Christchurch.

“The stormwater basin performed as intended during the wet weather earlier this year and assisted in avoiding flooding in areas we’ve historically seen damaged during similar events.

“We saw a significant reduction in the level of flooding in Christchurch’s southwest, demonstrating the effectiveness of the facility’s design in managing stormwater.”

Mr Hutchison says along with addressing immediate flood risks, the design integrates ecological, recreational, cultural, heritage and landscape aspiration.

“The restoration efforts have proved beneficial, enhancing water quality and creating essential wildlife habitats to support local biodiversity.

“Te Kuru sets a new standard for sustainable, resilient urban development.”