Lake Ellesmere
Te Waihora is a large, shallow brackish coastal lake. It is Canterbury's largest and New Zealand's fifth largest lake - about 20,000 ha - with approximately 75 kilometres of shoreline. DOC looks after just over a third of the lake margin, plus other conservation areas nearby.
Kaitorete Spit is a thin strip of land that separates the lake from the stormy waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Find out what makes Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora and Kaitorete Spit special. Learn about the area's ecological and cultural significance.
Te Waihora is New Zealand's most popular recreational duck-shooting area. You can also fish, visit the Hart's Creek bird hide and do the Christchurch - Little River Rail Trail.
The baches within the reserve are mostly used by hunters and fishers.
Find out how to get to Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora and Kaitorete Spit.
Located in the Canterbury region, Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere is one of New Zealand's most important wetland systems.
DOC ranger Ian Hankin discusses the impact of weeds on the natural biodiversity of the Kaitorete Spit.
Te Waihora Joint Management Plan
NZ weather
New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres
Little River Rail Trail Trust website
Waihora Ellesmere Trust website
Follow the Outdoor Safety Code: 1. Plan your trip 2. Tell someone 3. Be aware of the weather 4. Know your limits 5. Take sufficient supplies
Safety