Canterbury
Canterbury river birds get a $20,000 funding boost through BRaid
Environment Canterbury has announced $20,000 for BRaid’s work supporting threatened braided-river birds, including wrybill and black-fronted tern.
Braided River Aid (BRaid) is receiving $20,000 from Environment Canterbury’s Waitaha Action to Impact Fund to support work for Canterbury’s threatened river birds. The council announced the funding on 22 September.
What the funding supports
The support helps BRaid connect researchers, community groups, agencies and landowners, share research and raise awareness of braided-river habitats. Species highlighted include wrybill/ngutu pare and black-fronted tern/tarapirohe.
Why this matters around Canterbury rivers
More than 60% of New Zealand’s braided rivers are in Canterbury. Their gravel beds provide nesting and feeding habitat for birds that can be difficult to spot. The funding backs the network helping people understand and protect those places.
For anyone who walks, rides or spends time around Canterbury rivers, this is a useful reason to read up on the wildlife sharing the riverbed. Follow local signs and restrictions on your outing.
Read the council’s announcement for the full list of species and details of BRaid’s work.
Sources and photo credits
Source checks: 28 September 2026.
Archive wildlife photograph. Photo: Wrybill Anarhynchus frontalis, New Zealand.jpg — Renke Lühken. CC BY 2.0. Resized for display.
