Community Workshops to restore birds to Glenside Reserve
When: Thursday 5th March & Saturday 7th March anytime between 10 am and 3 pm
Where: Historic Halfway House, Glenside Reserve, 246 Middleton Road
Drop in any time to share your knowledge, thoughts, dreams and aspirations. Take a walk over the reserve - visit the stream - enjoy the views - share your ideas to bring birds back.
Glenside Reserve - Reserves Act 1977
Glenside Reserve was declared a Recreation Reserve under the Reserves Act 1977 in the NZ Gazette 23 November 1995. The area where the historic Halfway House is, was gazetted as Historic Reserve in 2014.
"That in exercise of powers conferred on it by section 14 of Reserve Act 1977, the Wellington City Council hereby resolves that the pieces of land held by the said City in fee-simple and, described in the Schedule hereto shall be, and the same are hereby declared to be, recreation reserves within the meaning of section 17 of the said Act." (NZ Gazette, 23 November 1995)
Glenside Reserve is Open Space B
(Natural environment)
Glenside Reserve is Open Space B on the Wellington City Council District Plan.
Open Space B land is valued for its natural character and informal open spaces. It involves areas that are used for types of recreation that, in the broadest sense, do not involve buildings or structures. The intention is to keep such areas in an unbuilt or natural state. This type of open space encompasses both formal and informal open space elements. It includes walkways, scenic areas and open grassed areas where buildings are inappropriate. Its characteristics are minimal structures, largely undeveloped areas and open expanses of land. Most Open Space B areas are vegetated and often have ecological values or may buffer Conservation Sites.
Safe Haven for Birds strategy & landscape plan
The Glenside Progressive Association Inc. have engaged Wildlife Management International Ltd to develop a community driven strategy and landscape plan to Create a Safe Haven for Birds in Glenside Reserve. WMIL are leading the following work:
- Engaging with group members, Ngāti Toa, local community and wider stakeholders to identify project objectives and aspirations, and to understand motivations for involvement with Glenside Reserve through an on-site half-day workshop.
- Undertaking an on-site survey of the site to identify key habitats for birds and requirements for each area (including weed management, foraging planting, wetland development, predator control, etc.).
- Reviewing historical and current bird records at Glenside Reserve and determine long-term options for enhancing and increasing bird numbers and numbers of bird species into the area.
- Working alongside other experts (freshwater, botany, etc.) as required.
- Producing a strategy document incorporating all feedback and aligning with local and Regional Government requirements for the site.
Glenside Reserve water plan
In 2025, Wellington City Council commissioned Morphum Environmental to develop a Water Plan for the Glenside Reserve. This work includes the following:
- Site walkover to identify, categorise and map (in GIS) existing freshwater values, stream classification, and key areas for restoration activities to improve freshwater health. This will include consideration of permanent, intermittent and ephemeral areas and their riparian margins.
- Producing overview site plan map showing existing freshwater and associated riparian habitat across the reserve.
- Producing high level enhancement opportunity plan map showing provisional restoration/enhancement opportunities relating to freshwater values (noting this is will inform a later detailed operational restoration plan)
- Providing brief summary report outlining key definitions, the basis of the assessment, existing site conditions and key freshwater enhancement opportunities for the reserve.
- Presenting to iwi / hapū, community, and council stakeholders via a community group hui on the findings of site assessment and opportunities presented. This will likely include discussions on the existing ford, undermining of wastewater infrastructure and implications of existing and ongoing residential development in the headwaters.
Glenside Reserve discussion document
In 2023 and 2024, the Association hosted three walks on the main Glenside Reserve to obtain feedback from local authority officials and the community on what needs to be done to protect the wildlife (birds and fish) and enhance the reserve for public access. A link to the Discussion Document is below.
Discussion Document - Glenside Reserve Walk -(2023, 2024) PDF (3.8 MB)
This document builds on earlier reports.
In 1991 Wellington City Council commissioned a Glenside Reserve Recreation Study.
In 2004, Wellington City Council commissioned a Glenside Reserve Future Options report.
In 2004 the Glenside Streamcare Group prepared a Vision report with their ideas for the Reserve.
In 2008 the Wellington City Council prepared a draft Northern Reserves Management Plan for consultation. The Glenside Progressive Association was active in bringing the community together to make submissions on these reports and plans.
Wellington Botanic Society Inc. plant identification
On 16 February 2025, a team from Wellington Botanic Society Inc. undertook a study of existing species on the Glenside Reserve.
Wellington Botanical Society study - PDF (190 KB)
On 14 September 2002, Pat Enright and Olaf John of Wellington Botanic Society Inc. undertook a study of existing vascular species in a bush valley nearby at 255 Middleton Road, Glenside.
2002 Botanical Study 355 Middleton Road.pdf
iNaturalist NZ - Glenside Nature
All the cool things that live in Glenside.
Glenside Nature [External Site]
Christopher Stephens moth discoveries in Glenside Reserve
Christopher Stephens Mothcapade in Glenside {External Site]
The Glenside Reserves
The Glenside Reserves consist of three areas of land. Westchester Drive dissects the main reserve.
The largest reserve area is beside the former Twigland Gardeners World site. It is where the Halfway House and Newlands/Paparangi Pony Club are.
The second area of reserve was the Glenside Estate developer contribution in 1930. It is located on the corner of Middleton Road and the north side of Westchester Drive. Back in 2005, the community vision for this area, was for it to be developed as a village green. This never eventuated, as the community effort went into the restoration of the historic Halfway House and gardens on the main reserve.
(Full village green concept sketch)
The third area of reserve is a small walkway off Glenside Road. It once had a bridge across to the main road, however the stream has been diverted and access has been lost. The walkway now enables contractor access to infrastructure.
