A number of threatened native species are flourishing in new habitats created along the Avon River.

Longfin eels, inangia whitebait and bluegill bullies have thrived in the past four months' after the first stage of work to revitalise the river was completed.

So far work has been done to improve the river between the Antigua Boatsheds to Colombo Street.

Christchurch Central Development Unit Director, Warwick Isaacs says making the river healthier is one of their key pushes.

He says as they continue to enhance the river, more wildlife will return.