Manawatū Estuary, Nature reserve in Horowhenua District, New Zealand.
The Manawatū Estuary merges freshwater and saltwater environments, forming diverse habitats where fish, crustaceans, and small aquatic creatures thrive. The shifting sand and mud banks create shallow zones that support different forms of life throughout the tidal cycle.
In 2005, the estuary gained international recognition when it was designated as a Ramsar Wetland site, acknowledging its role in supporting global wildlife. This official status created a framework for managing and protecting the waters and surrounding lands.
Local Māori communities practice traditional fishing and gathering in these waters, keeping knowledge about living with the estuary alive through daily activities. Their relationship with this place shapes how the water and land are understood and cared for by those who live nearby.
You can enter the reserve from Holben Parade, where parking and picnic areas are provided near the start of walking paths. The trails wind through different zones of the estuary, with conditions that change throughout the day as the tides shift.
Eastern bar-tailed godwits fly from Siberia each year to rest and feed in these shallow waters during their migration. The birds travel thousands of kilometers and rely on this estuary as a critical stopover point on their journey.
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