There's plenty to see and do at the estuary.
The estuary walkway provides beautiful views, and there are signs along the way providing information about some of the birds you might see.
There is a lot of interesting wildlife at the estuary. As well as birds, the estuary is also home to some interesting plants and is an important habitat for native fish.
The Manawatū Estuary Trust enjoys giving people the opportunity to learn more about this amazing environ
Tuna kuwharuwharu/Longfin Eel Anguilla dieffenbachii
Native. At risk-declining.
Mainly a nocturnal species, they live in rivers and lakes but can also be found in most types of water, usually inland from the coast but can equally survive in farm drains, dams and large ponds even if the water is quite murky water. Most habitats would have some bank shading. A second species, Tuna Hinahina/Shortfin Eel A. australis is also found in our rivers but is not as abundant.
Breeding takes place only once in their lifetime when they migrate some 5000 km across the Pacific to lay their eggs off the coast of Tonga, after which they die. Spawn drifts back to Aotearoa New Zealand on sea currents, hatching en route. On entering freshwater to start their migration up-stream they change into "glass eel" and it could be up to 80 years before these repeat the journey.
The Department of Conservation produces an excellent information sheet which includes links to an activity book and many other aspects of their lives.
Whitebait Galaxias sp.
Whitebait is the collective name for the juvenile stage of five species of fish of the genus Galaxias. The most frequently caught of the five, Inanga G. maculata has a wide distribution reaching as far as Argentina but listed as declining in Aorearoa New Zealand.
Kōaro G. brevipennis is also found in Australia while the Banded G. fasciata, Giant G. argeneus and Shortjaw Kōkopu G. postvectus.are found nowhere else other than in Aotearoa New Zealand. Whitebait are caught as they start their migration up-stream.
As a group they are fascinating with a diverse lifestyle, much of which is covered in a fun Whitebait activity book produced by the Department of Conservation and available here for download.
They are a much-loved source of food which are caught in nets over a brief period each year. Current regulations can be found
Find, protect and create inanga spawning habitat is an informative guide produced by the Department of Conservation covering all aspects of protecting and enhancing spawning grounds for this important species.
Whitebait Connection is a nationwide environmental education programme that empowers communities, landowners and schools to explore, understand, and protect freshwater ecosystems. It focuses on native freshwater fish, particularly whitebait species, and teaches participants about their life cycles, habitats, and threats. Through hands-on learning, stream studies, and restoration projects, it encourages kaitiakitanga and community action to improve waterway health and supports the survival of these taonga species.
McDowell, R.M. 1984. The New Zealand Whitebait Book. A.H. & A.W. Reed Ltd Taylor, M.J.. 2002.
The National Inanga Spawning Database: Trends and Implications for Spawning Site Management. Department of Conservation Science for Conservation no. 188
Giant Kōkopu Galaxias argenteus
Endemic. At risk-declining.
This is the largest member of its family with specimens of over 450 mm in length have been reported This is rare with fish in the range of 200–300 mm being the more common size.
It was the first of its genus (family) to be discovered and the whole group was given the name Galaxias because of the profusion of spots on adults giving the appearance of stars in the galaxy.
Only found in low numbers in the whitebait catch, they can live in land-locked bodies of water such as lakes, and in streams where water-flow is slow with ample overhanging vegetation for shelter.
They are mainly nocturnal in habit and feed on a variety of insects and other aquatic life. More information on this interesting species can be found here.
