Travis Wetland was also used as a canoe- landing site and for food storage. Similarly, the Avon- Heathcote estuary was an important place for food gathering, as a source of weaving material and as a sacred site. Certain areas on the Port Hills were important for burial and other areas contain important trees. Ti Kouka Whenua Threats to EHS 1. Weeds One issue affecting EHS is how to protect them from weed invasion.
Weeds are already a problem at many of the sites.
For example, boneseed is spreading from the coast onto parts of the Port Hills and grey willow is a particular problem on the wetland sites. This is especially a problem for sites closely surrounded by residential areas, such as Riccarton Bush, Travis Wetland and Horseshoe Lake. Possums, goats, rabbits, and stoats can also cause significant damage to plants and birds. These animals are prolific in some areas and especially on the Port Hills. Planning issues for EHS 1.