Waitangiroto Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Whataroa, New Zealand
Waitangiroto Nature Reserve is a protected area in Westland District that follows the Waitangiroto River through swamp forest dominated by kahikatea trees. The reserve forms a wetland habitat where shallow waterways thread between dense stands of timber and create sheltered nesting grounds.
Local Māori advocated for protection of this area starting in 1860, and the government granted official reserve status in 1957. The decades-long effort reflects early awareness that the white heron breeding colony needed urgent safeguarding.
The Māori name kotuku refers to the white herons, which local tradition considers rare visitors that bring good fortune when seen. During nesting season from September to February, visitors can watch the birds raise their young in the tall kahikatea canopy.
A permit from the Department of Conservation is required to enter the reserve, and guided tours depart from nearby Whataroa. The approach involves gravel roads and remote terrain, so visitors should prepare for limited mobile signal and plan accordingly.
This reserve hosts the only breeding colony of kotuku in all of New Zealand, where the birds return each year. The 2023 count recorded around 56 nesting pairs that build their nests high in the trees above the swamp waters.
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