Bay of Plenty wetlands
In the Bay of Plenty, less than one percent remains of the 40,000 hectares of shallow wetlands which existed in the Kaituna, Waihi and Rangitaiki plains. In 1890 the Rangitaiki Plains were a wilderness of flax, raupo, manuka, waiwai and swamp vegetation.
In an effort to provide more land for settlers, river diversions, stop banking and drainage were undertaken on a major scale over successive years. Only fragments of the original wetland landscape now remain.
Wetland in the Bay of Plenty region
An integrated approach to water management is paying off for wetland areas around the Bay of Plenty. The Eastern Region Fish and Game Council and DOC both have management responsibilities for the Lower Kaituna, Awaiti, Thornton and Bregmans Wildlife Management Reserves.
The Lower Kaituna reserve near Te Puke is being restored through the desire of hunters to improve habitat, sporting and education opportunities with an interpretive trail being developed. Other sites being restored include Matata Lagoon, Awaiti Wildlife Management Reserve, Kapenga Wildlife Management Reserve, south of Rotorua and Athenree Wildlife Refuge Reserve near Waihi Beach.
The Rotorua Lakes are a distinctive landscape feature of the Rotorua area along with geothermal activity and in some places, such as at Sulphur Point, Lake Rotorua, there are areas of warm, sulphurous water.
There is an abundance of waterfowl and wetland birds and many areas are designated as wildlife refuges specifically for their protection e.g. Sulphur Point, Hamurana and Rotomahana.
Places to visit
Most lakes in the Rotorua area are accessible by road and many have walking tracks. A brochure "Walks in the Rotorua Lakes area" is available from Department of Conservation offices.