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
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.