Overview
What is a no-mow trial?
A no-mow trial is a land management initiative where selected public spaces—such as parks, road verges, or reserves—are left unmowed for a set period. The goal is to explore the environmental, economic, and community benefits of reduced mowing.
Why are we doing it?
We’re trialling this to enhance biodiversity, create spontaneous play opportunities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from mowing and associated activities.
Grass stores carbon if left unmown, much of it underground in its roots, within other living organisms and fungi. It also encourages soil restoration in a similar way to regenerative agriculture practices. It is estimated that grasslands can store up to 3 tonnes of carbon per hectare, and similar trials have been undertaken elsewhere in New Zealand and overseas.
Where will the meadows be?
Our no-mow trials will be conducted at:
- Sparks Park
- Carrington Park
- Feist Street Reserve
- Bird Reserve
- Howard Booth Park
- Mill Grove
- South End Park
Each area will be well sign posted and carefully monitored.
What about people who live close by?
Neighbours may find improved fruit production from increased activity of pollinators, watch out for our native butterflies and moths.
Meadows have also been associated with providing benefits for our health and wellbeing as you walk through carefully mown paths and smell, listen and observe the insect life – “food for the sole” .
Will this be a hazard in drier weather?
Meadow’s will be carefully monitored and cut as the vegetation starts to dry off.
Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata.
When the land is well, we are well.
No-Mow trial areas
Other projects