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•
Protect plants and
animals
•
Bury toilet waste when
tramping
•
Keep our coast, streams
and lakes clean
•
Leave gates as you find
them and respect any
access restrictions
•
Camp carefully
•
Keep to the track
•
Respect cultural heritage
•
Enjoy your visit and
toitu
te whenua
/ leave the land
undisturbed
Magical places
40 wetlands
to visit in
New Zealand
Cover image:
On the boardwalk, Otukaikino.
Photo: Sarah Mankelow.
Back Cover image:
Pūkeko.
Photo: Karen Denyer.
Published by Publishing Team,
Department of Conservation,
PO Box 10420, Wellington
March 2012
Contents
Introduction
Wetland types
Ramsar sites
Recreation information
Wetlands to visit: North Island
Wetlands to visit: South Island and
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Further information
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2
3
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7
31
53
Wetlands—places of magic and wonder
Wetlands are magical places.
Often their full beauty is not
revealed until you explore along the boardwalks and paths or,
in some cases, by boat or kayak into bays and inlets. Beautiful
reflections of mountains and trees can be captured in the open
water of a lake. Bubbling pools are a feature of natural springs
and geothermal wetlands, while in other places, specialised
plants like mosses, ferns, orchids, sundews and rushes form
intricate carpets.
Did you know that wetlands support the greatest concentration
of wildlife—more than any other habitat in New Zealand? There
is a good chance you will see a variety of birds when you visit
a wetland—waterbirds, waders, shorebirds and forest birds
depending on the situation. Often it is possible to get closer
to wildlife than in the bush—and a good pair of binoculars can
make a difference to what you see. Bird watching is enhanced
by specially created hides or viewing places.
Where there is water there are usually fish. Native fish, many
endangered, are often small in size or hiding under banks, so
you need to look carefully to find them.
This publication identifies 40 of the best wetlands in New
Zealand to visit and enjoy, whether walking, cycling, boating,
fishing, bird watching or taking photos. It covers sites from Te
Paki in the north to Awarua in the south and across to Stewart
Island/Rakiura. It includes pristine wetlands, as well as some
being restored or reconstructed by the community, and a range
of wetland types.
It is hoped by exploring some of the wetlands in this
publication, you will appreciate just how special wetlands are
and discover for yourself that they are magical places that can
enthral, amaze and delight when you take the time to visit.
Wetland restoration and community conservation 52
This publication has been produced under
the Arawai Kākāriki Wetland Restoration
Programme as a way of raising public awareness
about the value of wetlands. Wetlands are
often perceived in a negative light as muddy,
inhospitable places, whereas in reality, they can
be very beautiful and well used for recreation.
They are definitely deserving of our care and
protection to keep them in a healthy state.
The Arawai Kākāriki Wetland Restoration Programme
(which began in 2007) is co-ordinated by the Department
of Conservation (DOC) and has focused on three wetland
sites in New Zealand: Whangamarino, Ō Tū Wharekai and
Awarua-Waituna. The programme aims to protect, restore
and gain a better understanding of the ecosystems of the
wetlands. The knowledge gained from these three sites will
then be applied in the management of other wetlands.
A broad range of initiatives have been undertaken in
collaboration with local communities, iwi and other
agencies, including wetland mapping, ecological inventories,
weed control, fencing, and new recreational facilities for
public enjoyment. Promoting sustainable land use and
raising awareness of wetland values are key objectives of the
programme.
Learning about wetlands.
Photo: Sarah Bond.
1
Wetland types
Wetlands vary in terms of their water regime—the volume
of water; whether that water is fresh or saline, permanent or
temporary, static or flowing; the diversity of landforms; and the
range of plants and animals they support.
There are a number of different types of wetland referred to in
this publication, and with examples of each to visit, you have
the opportunity to experience a wide spectrum of wetland
types across the country. Each wetland is unique and even
within a type, no two wetlands look exactly the same.
Wetlands include:
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swamps, bogs and fens
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estuaries, lagoons and dune lakes
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lowland lakes, rivers and streams
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alpine lakes and kettleholes
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geothermal and natural springs.
Wetlands can be fed by water from rainfall, over-ground
streams, flood waters, groundwater springs or seepages, ice
melt or from the incoming tide.
All wetlands typically have:
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an abundance of water above or near the ground surface for
all or part of the year
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unique soil conditions
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plants and animals that are adapted to living in wet
conditions.
Some wetlands are referred to as ephemeral: periodically wet
areas that may be wet or dry when you visit. This is often the
case where surface depressions become ponded with water
during wet seasons or wet years, yet are partially or wholly dry
at other times.
Ramsar sites
The wetlands listed here are a selection of wetlands from
around the country and include five of the six sites in New
Zealand designated as wetlands of international importance
under the Ramsar Convention. These are the Firth of Thames,
Whangamarino Wetland, Manawatu Estuary, Farewell Spit
and Awarua Wetland. The sixth site, Kopuatai Peat Dome,
has limited public access. Ramsar sites are considered to be
internationally important—comparable to World Heritage
sites.
The Ramsar Convention was the first modern
intergovernmental treaty on conservation and wise use of
natural resources. It was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar
in 1971 on 2 February—the date on which we now celebrate
World Wetlands Day each year. New Zealand became a party
to the Ramsar Convention in December 1976.
This booklet on 40 wetlands to visit was initiated in 2011 to
celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Ramsar Convention. It
was published in 2012 to coincide with the World Wetlands
Day theme of Wetlands and Tourism—to highlight those sites
in New Zealand that provide great tourism and recreation
experiences. They are by no means the only wetlands to visit
and you will note that for most sites, other local wetlands have
been identified.
National Wetland Trust
Special thanks go to the National Wetland Trust for their
assistance in preparing this publication. The Trust is a non-
profit organisation that seeks to
encourage people to safely visit
wetlands as a way of increasing
appreciation of wetlands and their
values.
The Trust is building an online
directory of wetlands to visit in
New Zealand on their website:
www.wetlandtrust.org.nz. A number
of the sites featured in this publication can also be found there.
The Trust and its membership has extensive knowledge
about wetlands and has worked collaboratively with DOC in
compiling information on these 40 wetlands.
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Pauatahanui Inlet with bird hide.
Photo: Matt Barnett.
3
Recreation information
The majority of the wetlands listed in this publication can be
accessed by foot, but some are better appreciated from a high
point providing an overview, or by kayak or rowboat on the
water to give a true sense of the magic of the place.
Tracks can vary from easy walks to more strenuous exercise—
the ones listed here should be achievable by most people of
average fitness. The majority of walking tracks are developed
and maintained by DOC but a number managed by other
agencies are included.
Other recreation opportunities
Fishing
A number of freshwater wetlands not only provide habitat
for native fish, but also contain introduced sports fish such as
rainbow or brown trout, or coarse fish such as rudd. Fishing
licences and information are available from most fishing shops.
For further information, see www.fishandgame.org.nz.
Wetland birds
Look out for these birds when visiting wetlands.
Brown teal/pāteke
Spotless crake/pūweto
Boating
Canoeing or kayaking can be a great way to explore a wetland,
especially for moving silently along waterways to increase your
chances of seeing some of the more secretive wetland birds.
Some lakes and estuaries are also open to motor boats.
Track classification
Easy access short walk:
Suitable for people of all
abilities, wheelchairs, and pushchairs.
Short walk:
Track is well formed. Easy walking for up to
an hour. There may be steps or slopes. Walking shoes
required.
Walking track:
Easy to moderate walking from a few
minutes to a day. Track is mostly well formed, some
sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Walking shoes
required.
Tramping track:
Challenging day or multi-day
tramping/hiking. May have steep grades. Suitable for fit,
experienced and adequately equipped people. Tramping
boots required.
Dual-use track:
Walking and off-road biking are both
available on dual-use tracks. Bikers: please stay in control
of your bikes at all times and give way to walkers.
Pied stilt/poaka
NZ dotterel/tūturiwhatu
Gamebird hunting
Hunting of waterfowl—which includes ducks, geese and
swans—occurs during a restricted season, starting on the first
Saturday in May each year. Only certain species may be shot
and a licence is required—see www.fishandgame.org.nz for
detailed information. If you’re not a hunter, it is best not to visit
sites with the gamebird hunting symbol during May and June.
Black stilt/kakī
NZ shoveler/kuruwhengi
Bird watching
Wetlands provide habitat for a variety of protected native birds
as well as long-distance flyers that visit on a seasonal basis.
A pair of binoculars may increase your chances of seeing
something special and can help to identify birds. See page 6 for
a description of some key species.
Bar-tailed godwit/kuaka
Paradise shelduck/
pūtangitangi
Please note
Tracks on conservation land are marked by orange triangles.
Other coloured markers or tape are used for land management
purposes and should not be followed.
Dogs
Unless specifically indicated by this symbol, no dogs other
than guide dogs or permitted hunting dogs should be taken
into any of the wetlands featured in this publication.
Enjoying the outdoors safely
Choose the type of walk that most suits the skills, fitness
and abilities of your group. Be well prepared, with food and
water as necessary, and wear appropriate clothing. Check the
weather forecast before you head out—remember, safety is
your responsibility. See www.adventuresmart.org.nz for further
information.
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Other symbols
Toilets
Information centre
Information panels
Suitable for pushchairs
Lookout/viewpoint
Camping
Historic place
DOC-managed site
5
NZ scaup/pāpango
Australasian bittern/
matuku
Photos: DOC.
This page folds out
6
Wetlands to visit in the North Island
1
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Kaitaia
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1. Te Werahi, Northland
You can start your journey of magical wetlands near the
northern tip of New Zealand in a remote but highly natural
and scenic landscape. Te Werahi is a good stopping place on
your way to or back from Cape Reinga. From the road, you will
see a large freshwater wetland system, which has three raupō
swamps linked by narrow sandy streams. It is an important site
for wetland birds such as Australasian bitterns/matuku, grey
ducks, grey teals/tētē, NZ shovelers/kuruwhengi, pied stilts/
poaka, pied shags and little shags.
2. Lake Ohia, Northland
Lake Ohia is an other-worldly place of charred stumps and
gumland scrub that casts a strange sort of magic over you.
The area was once an ancient kauri forest, then a lake that was
subsequently drained in the 1900s for gum digging, exposing
a maze of 30,000-year-old kauri stumps. It is now an important
habitat for rare ferns, mosses and orchids. Lake Ohia is an
ephemeral lake that usually dries out in summer and is wet in
winter.
2
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3
!
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Dargaville
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Whangarei
Places to explore
Places to explore
The Gumhole Reserve Walk is a 10 min loop through mānuka
scrub and passes a series of holes excavated by gum diggers.
Many of the holes are deep so keep to the track. Throughout
the walk you’ll find information about the history of the site
and areas of significance. It’s an ideal place for the family with
plenty of tables and shady areas—perfect for a picnic.
Highlights:
Gum-digger holes and their history, kauri stumps.
5
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!
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Auckland
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!!
!
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Tauranga
Hamilton
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Rotorua
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The wetland can be accessed
via boardwalks down the
Twilight–Te Werahi Loop
track. The full 16 km loop
takes 4–5 hr and passes
through farmland,
dunes, shrubland and
coastal wetlands, as well
as the raupō swamp.
Highlights:
Wetland
birds,
spectacular
views
of dunes, headlands and
beaches.
hi.
era
Te
W
Sign
at
Getting there
From Kaitaia, head north to Awanui, onto State Highway 10
and then onto Inland Road to the Gumhole Reserve parking
area, 21.5 km from Kaitaia.
ot
Ph
o:
DO
C
New Plymouth
!
!!
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Whanganui
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!
15
!
Further information
See www.doc.govt.nz for more information.
!
Taupo
!
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Getting there
Follow State Highway 1 north from Kaitaia and then the Cape
Reinga Road from Te Paki. Look for the signposted Te Werahi
gate about 4.5 km south of Cape Reinga.
Other places to visit
Kaimaumau Swamp—a complex and extensive infertile
freshwater wetland between Houhoura and Rangaunu
Harbours. Good views from the road.
Lake Ngatu—a gem of a dune lake in the Sweetwater lakes
system, popular for recreation and with a 4 km walking track.
Lake Ohia.
Photo: Bev Clarkson.
Wairoa
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!
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Napier
Further information
Cape Reinga Coastal Walkway at www.doc.govt.nz.
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Other places to visit
Masterton
Wellington
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20
!!
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Parengarenga Harbour—a large, relatively unmodified harbour
visited by migratory shorebirds.
Waitahora Lagoon—a coastal lagoon at Spirits Bay.
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7
0
100 km
¯
Te Werahi wetland.
Photo: DOC.
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