Green Network Conservation Covenant

What is the Conservation Covenant?

A partnership in the form of a legal agreement between a landowner and the Waitakere City Council, which serves to protect and proactively manage an area of native vegetation (bush, streams, etc) on private property. The owner retains the title to the covenanted land.

Why volunteer for a Conservation Covenant?

Many landowners have areas of native vegetation on their properties that they wish to see preserved for future generations to enjoy. Many are already working hard to manage their properties, while others are keen to care for their land, but are unsure where to start.  The Council supports the development of conservation covenants as they benefit the wider community, as well as the landowner.

How is a covenant arranged?

The Council's Green Network representative will visit and assess the proposed covenant land. A Management Plan is prepared with the owner to identify what needs to be done. The owner, with the help of skilled Council staff, gains the understanding and support needed to preserve and manage the land.  By formalising their intent to protect and manage the land, landowners are committing themselves, and any future landowners, to ongoing good management of their property with additional support from the Council.

Who manages the Covenanted land?

The landowner. The Council works in partnership with the landowner, offering advice and practical assistance with management and revegetation. A Green Network representative will visit the covenanted property once every two years to maintain contact and discuss the future management of the land.

What is in a covenant document?

The names of the landowners who established the covenant. A definition of the land covenanted. A Management Plan for the covenanted land, including the owner's management responsibilities for the next two years and agreed assistance from the Council.  Any public access agreements. Listed objectives for the different areas within the covenant.

Who gets access to my property?

Public access is at the discretion of the owner. The issue of property access can be discussed with your Green Network representative. It is also elaborated on in the Covenant Management Plan.

What financial assistance will I get?

The Council currently has a Rates Relief policy, for which a conservation covenant is a prerequisite. A conservation covenant will enable you to apply to the Council for rates relief. This is worked through with the owner on a case-by-case basis.

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Green Network Rates Relief Policy (Size 121K)

How do I arrange for a covenant?

If you are interested in a Green Network Conservation Covenant for part, or all, of your property, you can contact us. A staff representative will contact you as soon as possible to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have.

How can the Council help?

Paying surveying and legal costs. Offering skilled advice about managing your covenanted property. Offering assistance with fencing to keep stock away from bush areas.  Assisting with weed control.  Providing free plants for for such purposes as rehabilitating an area after weed eradication, improving streamside vegetation or connecting separate areas of bush to provide cover for birdlife.

Note: You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to view and print this document.  For help opening PDF files or tips on copying information see Helpful Tips.

Sustainable Neighbourhoods Enquiry Form (Size 25K)

Tree Protection Covenant

If you would like to ensure that your favourite tree is protected from being felled at a later date the Council is offering you an opportunity to protect those trees for free.

Offered through the Green Network Covenant Programme land owners can now place covenants across individual trees on their property. A council officer will come out and visit your property, will draw a map of the location of the trees as well as their names, and draft a covenant which can be placed on your title.

This is a good choice for people on smaller sections, where you do not have enough bush to warrant a conservation covenant. Tree Protection Covenants are much easier and quicker to prepare, and will offer protection over and above the District Plan, Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008, and Resource Management Act 1991.

For more information contact us.