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Overview

Town Belt

Makara Peak

Wellington's Town Belt is a 425 hectare reserve on the first line of hills encircling the city. It has been enjoyed as a recreation space by residents and visitors since 1839.

The Town Belt includes many parks and walkways. It is an important part of Wellington's landscape, enclosing the inner city and central suburbs in a green sweep that is part of Wellington's geographic identity.

Outer Green Belt

The Outer Green Belt is the ridgeline hills to the west of the city, from the South Coast to Colonial Knob.

A management plan for the Outer Green Belt was drawn up in 2003 to guide future management. The Plan has a vision for the entire Outer Green Belt that includes:

planting natives to eventually create an almost continuous band of forest along the eastern slopes of the hills
continuing grazing on many of the ridgelines to preserve views and traditional farming landscapes

Outer Green Belt Management Plan

Council's Role

The Council manages and maintains the Town Belt on behalf of the city's residents. The Council is responsible for over 250 individual reserves and open space properties totalling almost 3,000 hectares.

In 1995/1996 the Council introduced a Town Belt Management Plan to enhance and preserve the area.

Town Belt Management Plan

Park Rangers

Park Rangers are Council employees who help manage the city's natural areas. They also:

monitor the Town Belts, sports grounds, beaches and coastal areas
provide advice and help settle conflict
build and maintain relationships with community groups including dog owners, rural landowners and four-wheel drive owners

Partnerships

The Council is working with Greater Wellington and the QE2 Trust to identify and protect private small bush remnants outside the Town Belts. They work cooperatively with landowners.

Branch Out Magazine

Branch Out is a quarterly magazine from the Council's Parks and Gardens business unit. It is packed with news and features about Wellington's environment.

Branch Out

Dogs

Dogs are welcome on the Town Belt, but must be kept on leads. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs.

Vehicle Access

You can't drive off-road on the Town Belt. However, in some instances the Council grants licences for temporary vehicle access for specific purposes.

Vehicle Access Application (42Kb PDF)