It is hoped opening up the salt marsh within the Aramoana Ecological Reserve will provide a safe breeding area and shelter for sea lions and other wildlife.
The salt marsh had had an old barbed-wire and netting fence across it from the days when the area was farmed.
Aramoana Conservation Group spokesman Bradley Curnow said a group of residents and representatives from the Department of Conservation got together on Saturday to remove the wire and netting, which was an impediment for wildlife, especially sea lions.
The fence posts were left behind to continue to provide a habitat for birds.
"It has tidied up the salt marsh, as it is an important piece of land."
He hoped, with better access to the marsh, sea lions might be encouraged to nest and shelter there.
Doc marine ranger Jim Fyfe said the pressure on coastal margins like the salt marshes was very high so the removal of any man-made structure was positive.
"It's fantastic to see locals coming along willing and enthusiastic to do this."
