Birds and Estuary

The Waimea Estuary, at over 3000 hectares, is the largest estuary in New Zealand's South Island and is ranked as an area of outstanding natural values to wildlife. It is internationally recognised as an important habitat for wading birds, migratory birds and native fish species as well as being the nursery grounds for many freshwater and marine fish species.

The 50 species of water birds here include the Bar tailed Godwit, Oystercatchers, Royal Spoonbills, Australian Bittern, White Heron and the endangered Banded Rail. Click here for the New Zealand Ornithological Society's list of resident birds. All the photographs of birds featured here were taken from this peninsula.

History

The Waimea Estuary was an important mahinga kai (food gathering place) for Maori. The waterways of the estuary provided sheltered canoe routes, landings and camp sites, and access to the rich marine, estuarine and river resources. The estuary's main archaeological sites are on each side of the tidal outlets at the western end, and Mapua, Grossi Point and the western end of Rabbit Island.

Restoration and Revegetation

Many revegetation restoration projects are underway around the estuary. Here at Matahua, the estuary margin is being cleared of invasive weeds and replanted in native coastal vegetation. Future projects include an extensive planting of beech trees to re-establish a small beech forest, which in pre-European times would have covered much of the peninsula.