Pencarrow Lakes
The Pencarrow Lakes, Kohangapiripiri (a nest clinging very strongly) and Kohangatera (a nest basking in the sun) occupy the seaward end of adjacent valleys immediately to the east of Pencarrow Head.They are New Zealand’s last remaining, relatively unmodified wetlands, despite their proximity to a large urban area.
Freshwater lakes so close to the sea are uncommon, particularly in the relatively unmodified state of the Pencarrow Lakes. They were formed in drowned valleys that have been blocked off from the ocean by beach ridges still bearing the evidence of earthquake history in the region.
Lake Kohangapiripiri, one of the
Pencarrow Lakes
The lakes, wetlands and raised beaches together support regionally-threatened native plants, native fish and wetland birds. It's the only area in the Wellington region where banded dotterel nest on the open sand.
Both lakes and their stream systems support such native freshwater fish as kokopu (Galaxias argenteus) and longfinned eel (Anguilla dieffenbachi). Lake Kohangapiripiri is one of the few waterways in Wellington that is free of the introduced brown trout.
The area provides an excellent open water and wetland habitat, supporting a high number of waterfowl species. For some waterfowl it is the only breeding area in the Wellington region. The spotless crake and the Australian bittern are among the rare waterfowl reported in the area. Many species of coastal birds can also be seen in the area.
The vegetation of the hill-slopes surrounding the lakes has been modified by more than 150 years of burning and grazing. However, the wetlands and beaches still support indigenous terrestrial and aquatic plant communities in a relatively unmodified state without any major noxious water weed.
Since grazing ceased in 2004, the wetland has begun to recover, particularly around the lake shores.
The surrounding area includes evidence of early Maori occupation and the first lighthouse in New Zealand.
The Pencarrow wetlands are being protected and restored under joint management by DOC and Greater Wellington Regional Council, as part of the East Harbour Regional Park.
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