Lake Papaitonga (Waiwiri)

The lake catchment area is nearly 60 per cent pasture, which is a source of lake eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) that can lead to increased plant growth and/or algal blooms. The lake is located within a target catchment for nutrient management under Horizons Regional Council’s One Plan.

Within Papaitonga Scenic Reserve is Lake Waiwiri, a dune lake that provides an important sanctuary for recovering wetlands birds. The reserve gets its name (Papaitonga) from one of the lake islands.

Nature and conservation of Papaitonga Scenic Reserve

Papaitonga Scenic Reserve is an important refuge for birds that depend on wetlands or lowland forests for their survival. It is home to waterfowl and wading birds, as well as forest species on the lake's margins.

Lake Waiwiri and its surrounds make up 135 ha of scenic reserve. Wetland and lush coastal forest surround the lake.

Within the reserve is the only intact sequence from wetland to mature dry terrace forest in Wellington and Horowhenua.

The wetland forest associations of kahikatea/pukatea, tawa and pukatea-tawa-swamp maire are now rare.

The mānuka growing on the forested side is habitat for the rare leafless mistletoe Korthalsella salicornioides.

History and culture of Papaitonga Scenic Reserve

Lake Waiwiri formed in a depression behind sand dunes deposited 35,000 years ago, where water from several sources accumulated. Within the lake are two islands; Papaitonga is the larger of the two islands, Karaka was brought to the island and it continues to grow in thick groves.

The Muaūpoko people in the late 18th to early 19th century constructed the smaller of the two islands, Papawhārangi. During this period Muaūpoko also constructed islands on Lake Waipunahau (Horowhenua), which have become part of the shoreline.

Papawhārangi was formed by forcing poles into the lake bottom to define the island's outline, then filling them with pūrei and kākahi shells. Pūrei is a tussock-forming sedge that was taken from the edge of the lake with earth still attached to its roots, then tossed into the water inside the poles. Cast upon the pūrei were kākahi shells, onto which canoeloads of soil were thrown.

Papaitonga Scenic Reserve information source: Department of Conservation (https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/papaitonga-scenic-reserve/)