Smaller. Smarter. Better: The Future of Raingardens in New Zealand
Across New Zealand, urban growth and densification are placing increasing demands on our stormwater networks. While raingardens have long been favoured as a green infrastructure solution, their limitations are apparent—especially in constrained urban environments where land is scarce and performance certainty is critical.
For engineers, consultants, and councils tasked with delivering effective water quality treatment, it's time to consider a smarter approach.
The Limitations of Traditional Raingardens
Although raingardens are well understood and widely adopted, they often introduce challenges that affect both project feasibility and long-term asset performance:
- Large space requirements limit design flexibility, especially in infill developments
- Variable soil conditions and compaction issues reduce treatment reliability
- Custom design and construction often lead to inconsistent outcomes
- Maintenance is difficult, costly, and frequently neglected
- Resource consenting can be complicated due to uncertainty in performance
These issues result in increased costs, delayed approvals, and stormwater assets that may underperform over time.
The Smarter Alternative: Engineered Bioretention
Stormwater360’s Filterra® Bioscape® system offers a pre-engineered, high-performance bioretention solution that solves these common pain points while delivering measurable results for water quality.
Filterra® Bioscape® is designed to replicate the treatment processes of a raingarden, but with key advantages:
- Compact footprint—up to 90% smaller than a typical raingarden, freeing up valuable land
- Controlled media composition ensures consistent removal of TSS, nutrients, metals, and hydrocarbons
- Standardised design makes consenting easier and faster
- Simple, surface-level maintenance reduces operational costs and ensures long-term functionality
- Reliable hydraulic performance, verified through field-tested data
Designed for New Zealand Conditions
Stormwater360 has worked alongside councils and consulting engineers nationwide to deliver Filterra® systems that are fit for purpose in New Zealand’s urban environments. Projects in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Christchurch have already adopted Filterra technology to improve water quality outcomes, reduce maintenance liabilities, and simplify infrastructure design.
Whether you're planning a new development, retrofitting a streetscape, or upgrading council assets, Filterra® Bioscape® offers a smarter, future-ready alternative.
Next Steps
Stormwater360 offers design support, specification resources, and performance data to assist consultants and councils in evaluating the suitability of Filterra® for their projects.
Book a lunch and learn HERE.