Kopuatai Peat Dome

Kopuatai Peat Dome is a protected wetland in the Waikato Region featuring two raised peat formations across flat terrain. The site contains extensive peat deposits and open water areas that create a network of waterways and natural channels.

The site faced drainage pressures in earlier decades until conservation efforts took control in 1987. This protection prevented further damage and allowed the wetland to recover its natural functions.

The site supports bird populations and native species that depend on the open wetland environment. Walking through or along the waters, visitors notice how this landscape shapes the wildlife that lives here.

The western sections are accessible by boat from launches at Tramline Road or Maukoro Landing Road off State Highway 27. Check conditions before visiting since water levels and weather can affect access and exploration routes throughout the year.

The site holds the largest remaining population of a specialized bog plant that supports an endemic insect with extraordinarily thin body structure. This plant and insect relationship exists nowhere else in the world.