Published:  

2003
This is a reconnaissance survey report about the Aupouri Ecological District for the Protected Natural Areas Programme.

This study has collected a large amount of information on the natural areas of the Aupouri Ecological District, and is a valuable guide to the Department of Conservation and other interested agencies and individuals as to the natural values of the Ecological District. This is useful, both for reference as well as setting conservation priorities.

Summary

The Aupouri Ecological District consists of the narrow sand tombolo isthmuses of the Aupouri and Karikari Peninsulas and is connected in the north to a wide club-like head of the Te Paki Ecological District and in the south to the Ahipara and Maungataniwha Ecological Districts.

The District is characterised by shifting and consolidated dunes interspersed with small lakes, marshy hollows and peat swamps, and three large shallow harbours. Natural areas of ecological significance were identified from a reconnaissance survey undertaken in 1994–96 together with information from existing databases.

The Ecological District contains distinctive, nationally rare habitat types such as gumland, dunelands and wetlands, including habitats for a large number of threatened species.

The three harbours and Kaimaumau-Motutangi Wetlands are exceptional ecosystems of international importance. These large wetlands contain diverse habitat types that support many threatened flora and fauna species. Kanuka-manuka shrubland is common, but indigenous forest in this Ecological District is represented by only a few small remnants.

Out of 134 natural areas described in this report, 111 are known to contain natural values of regional and national significance. This high proportion reflects the high number of threatened species and habitats present in this Ecological District.

Publication information

Linda Conning and Wendy Holland

Published by
Department of Conservation
Northland Conservancy, P.O. Box 842
Whangarei, New Zealand

© Crown copyright 2003
This report may be freely copied provided that the Department of Conservation is acknowledged as the source of the information.

Topographic base maps reproduced under the Land Information New Zealand Map Authority 1991/42: Crown Copyright Reserved

ISSN: 0112-9252
ISBN: 0-478-22252–1

Contact

Whangarei Office
Phone:   0800 275 362
Fax:   +64 4 471 1117
Email:   whangarei@doc.govt.nz
Address:   2 South End Ave
Raumanga
Whangarei 0110
Postal Address:   PO Box 842
Whangarei 0140
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