Pauatahanui Inlet
Image: Matt Barnett | DOC

Kiwi Guardians at Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve

Introduction

The reserve is the most significant saltmarsh in the lower North Island, containing a variety of vegetation from tidal mudflats to coastal forest. The area is home to many native plants and birds - you might even see some mud crabs!

Highlights

  • Marsh ribbonwood, coastal tree daisy, taupata, ngaio, kanuka and manuka make up the coastal scrub. 
  • Swamp flax, raupo, reeds, rushes, glasswort, sea primrose, halfstar, New Zealand spinach and wild celery are the principal wetland species.
  • The area is wheelchair and stroller accessible if not bogged by rain.
  • The full track at a leisurely pace will take 40 minutes.

Get ready

Download the  Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve adventure map (PDF, 2,632K) and check out what you can do.

Go and explore

Look out for the Guardian Post when you get there. On it you'll find a special code word - write it down.

Getting there:  Pāuatahanui Inlet is an east-west running arm of Porirua Harbour, 30 km north of Wellington. Public access to the Pāuatahanui Wildlife Management Reserve is via the Forest & Bird reserve at Pāuatahanui village from SH58. From SH1 you can get onto the route around the estuary by turning off at the Paremata roundabout or at Grays Road in Plimmerton. Parking is available.

Claim your reward

Tell us the Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve code word to receive a Kiwi Guardians certificate and medal for this adventure.

Put the medal on your back pack or pencil case to show everyone the adventure you've had.

Each Kiwi Guardians place has a different medal - see how many you can collect.

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