New regulations to protect wetlands were introduced in the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020 (NES-F) as part of the Government’s Essential Freshwater reforms. For decades, protecting wetlands’ water quality and biodiversity values has been a priority for the Council and we have worked with Taranaki landowners to protect and enhance the region’s precious wetlands through our riparian and biodiversity programmes. Wetlands – swamps, marshes, bogs and the like – are the meeting
New regulations to protect wetlands were introduced in the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020 (NES-F) as part of the Government’s Essential Freshwater reforms. For decades, protecting wetlands’ water quality and biodiversity values has been a priority for the Council and we have worked with Taranaki landowners to protect and enhance the region’s precious wetlands through our riparian and biodiversity programmes. Wetlands – swamps, marshes, bogs and the like – are the meeting
Standing knee deep in a swamp on a chilly spring morning may not be everyone’s idea of fun, but for Taranaki Regional Council’s biodiversity officers, ecologists and freshwater scientists, it’s the stuff they live for. A recent highlight for our team was mudfish monitoring at a South Taranaki wetland. This 1.8ha wetland is a remnant of a peat swamp that once covered about 1,200ha, but over the years has been almost completely drained. It is home to an abundant population of the native brown
Swamps, marshes and bogs may not be glamorous but for some of our most unique native species they’re the perfect home. Last week’s World Wetlands Day celebrated the major role wetlands play in our environment. Often called the ‘Earth’s kidneys’, their functions include storing carbon, capturing sediment and runoff, removing nitrogen and reducing flooding. Their other major benefit is the role they play in increasing biodiversity. While it’s estimated just 8.4% of Taranaki’s original wetlands
page
Waiwiri wetlands QEII covenants
At a glance (last updated: July 2011)
TRC reference: Ecological district: Matemateonga
Other reference: QEII Covenants: 5/6/224,
5/6/277, 5/6/286
LENZ environment: F1.1b (3.1ha)
H3.1b (0.8ha)
Land tenure: Private Protection status: A, B, C
GPS: E 1722072 N 5648595 Area: 3.9 ha
Location
The Waiwiri wetlands QEII covenants are located on private land off Waiwiri
Road, approximately 4 kilometres north east of Toko in east Taranaki.
page
CONCEPT SHEET 7
Wetlands
Wetlands are permanent or temporarily wet areas that provide
habitats for plants and animals adapted to wet conditions.
Wetlands, such as estuaries, bogs, swamps and shallow lakes,
have a vital role in maintaining the health of the region’s
natural environment.
Why are wetlands important?
Wetlands perform vital ecosystem services such as improving
water quality and controlling floods, erosion and
World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on 2 February to raise awareness on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Wetlands are important natural tools that combat floods, droughts and other extreme weather events, says Taranaki Regional Council Director – Operations, Daniel Harrison. Wetlands, which are where the water table is near the land’s surface, or where land is permanently or temporarily covered by water, are among the world's most productive and valuable ecosystems and
page
Lakes and wetlands
Lakes and wetlands support a diverse array of plants and
animals, some of them rare and threatened. In Taranaki,
lakes such as Rotokare, Rotomanu and Mangamahoe are
popular spots for picnicking, fishing, swimming and boating.
Highly valued by Māori, lakes and wetlands also provide
traditional food sources – known as mahinga kai.
Lakes can be classified by how they are formed (geomorphic
lake types) and by the mixing pattern of the water
indigenous vegetation in the Region. Of particular interest to this Council are requirements around the identification and mapping of taonga species and habitats and highly mobile fauna areas. Wetland identification surveyThe survey of urban wetlands was conducted by university students Allie Mulholland and Grace Mackenzie over the 2019/2020 summer period. The Council already has extensive data on many of our wetlands, particularly in rural areas where riparian plans have been developed. However, there
enhancement of values (141 KB pdf) Appendix 2A: Values of protected wetlands in the Taranaki region (182 KB pdf) Appendix 2B: Values of regional significant unprotected wetlands in the Taranaki region (169 KB pdf) Appendix 3: Wetlands with nationally or regionally rare, threatened or uncommon flora or fauna (36 KB pdf) Appendix 4: Catchment maps (707 KB pdf) Appendix 5: Surface water quality guidelines (106 KB pdf) Appendix 6: Good agrichemical spray management practices (106 KB pdf) Appendix 7: Good