Waikato wetlands
Waikato wetlands you can visit:
Wetlands were once a widespread feature of the landscape within the lower Waikato Basin and Hauraki Plains but today, less than 20 percent of the original freshwater wetlands remain.
On the Hauraki Plains, wetlands are restricted to areas associated with the Piako and Waihou Rivers and the peat domes at Torehape and Kopuatai; in the Lower Waikato Basin there is a mosaic of shallow lakes and mineralised swamps all connected to the Waikato River, while the Hamilton Basin has a unique assemblage of peat lakes and remnant peat domes.
Penewaka Lagoon, with Lake Waikare
in background
Three of the six wetlands recognised as being internationally important in New Zealand are found in the Waikato region.
Two of these - Whangamarino and Kopuatai Peat Dome - are freshwater wetlands and the Firth of Thames is tidal. They are listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty administered by the Ramsar Secretariat hosted by the World Conservation Union.
Wetlands Accord
On 1 February 2002, the Waipa Peat Lakes and Wetlands Accord was signed, ratifying a commitment by Environment Waikato, Waipa District Council, Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Council, Iwi and Department of Conservation to work together to "promote the sustainable use and conservation of lake and wetland resources by developing and implementing relevant local management projects, regional and national policies and action plans and international conventions".
As part of this joint approach, the agencies are involved in encouraging the restoration of lakes and wetlands and raising the awareness of the functions and values of wetlands through education, information and awareness programmes.
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