Waitara

The Waitara Estuary is located at the coastal town of Waitara and is one of the region’s most significant long length, shallow, well-flushed tidal river estuary. It has a very high freshwater inflow, has a wide subtidal channel and its mouth flanked either side by man-made rock wall is always open. The intertidal habitat is characterised by soft muds, sands, and some saltmarsh comprising rushland (Juncus kraussii - Searush, Apodasmia similis - Jointed wirerush, Isolepis nodosa - Knobby clubrush), reedland (Typha orientalis - Raupo), and sedgeland (Schoenoplectus pungens - Three-square) vegetation. It is valued for its aesthetic, spiritual appeal, bathing, biodiversity, and food harvesting. It is significant to the people of Te Atiawa as it was one of the first areas to be settled in Aotearoa. The river provided an abundance of fish, īnanga, tuna (eels), piharau, kahawai, yellow eyed mullet, flounder, herrings, kōkopu, weka, pukeko and ducks. Ecologically, habitat diversity is moderate with some of its regionally significant intertidal vegetation intact. The estuary catchment is dominated by native forest, dairy and sheep/beef farming and exotic forest (including consented forestry).

The estuary has minimal susceptibility to eutrophication due to its highly flushed nature. However, it has been classified as moderate-highly vulnerable to sedimentation (muddiness) as the catchment is naturally erosion prone.