Published:  

2011
View a poster about Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve - Waikaraka, showing the fish, shellfish and bird life you will see, and outlining the history of the reserve.

Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve - Waikaraka poster.
Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve - Waikaraka poster 

Full text of the poster

Most of the Earth’s surface is covered by sea and the largest portion of the seabed below it consists of soft substrata such as mud, sand or silt. Consequently, a large number of species have adapted to life in soft substrate for some or all of their life cycles, relying on it for survival.

The muddy substrate of Waikaraka means that a healthy mangrove population has been able to establish itself in the area. Mangroves are the only trees in New Zealand which will grow in areas regularly covered by seawater. Mangrove forests, or mangals, tend to grow in quiet waters where the mud or sand is fairly stable and plants can take root. The Waikaraka mangal is a typical example.

What you will see

Mangrove forests are highly productive zones, where the gentle flowing waters and mud surrounding their roots are home to a diverse range of fish, shellfish and bird life. Other marine species found include worms, crabs, and shrimps.

Fishes

Fish like snapper, trevally, kahawai, kingfish and mackerel spend important parts of their lives among mangroves; thereby contributing to the replenishment of fish stocks in the harbour and adjacent coastal waters. Migratory freshwater fishes such as banded kokopu and eels move between the Waikaraka stream and mangroves.

Shellfish

The mangroves are home to a range of shellfish that include oysters, little black mussel, and barnacles. During low tide, mud snails sieve food from the nutrient rich mudflats. As the tide rises scavenging mudflat whelks feed in the shallow water and cat’s-eyes graze on the trunks of mangroves.

Bird life

The Waikaraka reserve also provides habitat for a wide variety of bird life including shags, pied stilts, spoonbills, banded rail, kingfishers and herons. Seabirds such as the white fronted tern fly overhead hunting bait-fish with pinpoint precision.

History of the Marine Reserve

The Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve proposal was unique. It began in 1990 when local students chose to do something for the environment. Hundreds of Kamo High School students put time and energy into the Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve proposal. Marine experts supported the project and provided valuable scientific data, photographs and recommendations. After years of gathering information, the proposal was submitted and consequently, both the Motukaroro Island and Waikaraka sites were formally established as the Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve in 2006.

Cultural history

The Whangarei Harbour, Whangarei Terenga Paraoa, has a long history of Maori settlement. Many subtribal groups settled around its shores, in productive valleys and along the coast. The harbour acted as their food basket for generations. Today, the descendants of those first settlers will continue to play an important part by advising on the management of the reserve and the natural resources within.

Publication information

Published by Department of Conservation and Whangarei District Council

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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