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
Maakoako/Sea Primrose Samolus repens
Native. Not threatened.
A common estuarine plant around Aotearoa New Zealand, in many situations it can be a pioneer species moving in after an area has suffered a natural disaster. Afterward, other species move in, often overgrowing it, but even then, Maakoako survives under taller vegetation. For example, at the time of writing, at the end of Carter Crescent there is a patch of ‘lawn’ mowed by Council staff down to tide level. Maakoako is a principal constituent of this patch of estuarine lawn. There is also a small patch easily seen from the viewing platform.
It has pretty white flowers which show from well before Christmas until the start of winter, a long growing season.
Besides Aotearoa New Zealand, it can be found in Australia, some Pacific Islands and Chile in South America.
NZPCN-Samolus repens var repens
Remuremu/Swampweed Goodenia radicans
Native. Not threatened.
Found throughout the Southern Hemisphere, this species common name originates here. Routinely found in estuarine situations, it can also be found in wetland habitats with little saline component. In summer it produces a lovely white half-star flower indistinguishable from its rare cousin, Goodenia heenanii, which is known only from this coast. Another defining characteristic of Remuremu is the production of wonderfully large, soft carpets of vivid green overlaying estuarine mud flats. This plant occurs on both sides of the river on the Ramsar site.
It has been hypothesised to be the main host plant for the moth species Asaphodes frivola, a critically endangered species, currently known from only two small colonies near Invercargill but would certainly be worth further investigation locally.
Half-star Goodenia heenanii
Endemic. At risk-declining.
Now found only from Waikawa Beach to Tangimoana, this is a star of the Dune Garden, endemic to the Manawatu coast. It was formerly known in a few locations toward Whanganui.
Although it is effectively found nowhere else, it is in almost every single dune wetland, including some so small they are hardly recognisable as such. These ephemeral dune wetlands are mostly evolving toward larger plant species, which is why this species is on the threatened species list.
A factor in favour of Goodenia heenanii is that ephemeral dune wetlands come and go over periods of a few years, which makes life difficult for larger, less adaptable species. This species is an early pioneer in newly re-establishing dune wetlands on this coast.
NZPCN-Selliera rotundifolia Old taxonomy used by this site.