An ecologist who worked for more than two decades restoring Christchurch sand dune vegetation burnt at the weekend hopes it will regenerate.
A cabbage tree growing by a sand dune. (File photo) Photo: 123rf
A fire tore through the dunes on Marine Parade in New Brighton about five forty on Saturday night.
Colin Meurk, who started the restoration project, said the extensive damage caused to cabbage trees, akeake, ngaio and other species was soul destroying.
Dr Meurk said the damage was a huge setback to 25 years of work establishing the native species, which were planted in 1990 to mark the then 50 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
