Who can apply
The Council’s Road Reserve scheme is open to residents who would like free native plants to plant on their neighbourhood roadsides and reserves. This helps the community as well as our restorative efforts to increase biodiversity in the Wellington region.
Steps to apply
1. Choose a suitable planting site
Road reserves and verges
Council reserve land
- If your property connects to a public park or reserve, this may be an area where you can plant.
- Environmental community groups often run restoration projects in these areas. Check to see if planting is already underway in your area before starting something independent.
Planting restrictions
- Planting must be under 1.5 metres if under powerlines or near bridge structures.
- You cannot plant on a property that is for sale.
2. Estimate how many plants you need
Assess your area to decide how many plants you would ideally like to receive.
Most applicants receive between 10 and 20 plants. Some who are restoring heavily weeded areas, planting beside a stream, or stabilising a bank can receive up to 30 plants.
The general rule for planting is one plant per square metre, to allow room for growth.
3. Prepare your planting site
Before planting, the area must be be appropriately trimmed back and weeded.
Weeding is a patience game but it's worth the wait. Some weeds grow back and will take several removals which will affect your re-planting timeline.
Find out about weeds and re-planting wait-times: Weedbusters
4. Apply online
Applications open in February and remain open for approximately six weeks or until we reach capacity.
You can apply for Road Reserve each year if you have space for more plants – there are no restrictions on the number of years you've applied.
If you miss the application deadline
Occasionally, applicants may withdraw from the scheme, or plants may become available due to unexpected circumstances.
If you miss the application deadline, you can email us at berhamporenursery@wcc.govt.nz asking to be placed on the waitlist.
Waitlisted applicants will be contacted after Road Reserve week has finished, generally by the end of August.
5. Applications are processed
We manually review every application and will get in touch if we require you to provide some extra information.
6. Acceptance letter are sent out
Acceptance letters are emailed out around early August.
6. Plants are picked up during Road Reserve week
Your acceptance letter and species list will give details on when and how to pick up your plants. We are unable to deliver them to you.
Find out more about how Road Reserve week works.
Thank you for all your hard work and happy planting.
Contact us
Berhampore Nursery
Phone: 04 389 9729
Email: berhamporenursery@wcc.govt.nz
Address: 32 Emerson Street, Berhampore, Wellington 6023