Beach Mysteries A walk along Foxton beach following a high tide or a storm event can be rewarding, although sometimes rather sad, depending on what has been washed up. For the most part findings consist mainly of shells but by keeping your eyes peeled, some other interesting items can be observed, a few of which are given below. Storms can cause devastation for some creatures, particularly sea birds and to a lesser extent Cetaceans (whales and dolphins) so please report these if found. Forms and contact details are given under the Research tab. Bluebottle Physalia spp Not every summer but most, there is mass strandings of Bluebottles. Often called Jellyfish, they are actually a group of organisms each with a particular part to play in ensuring its survival and are termed Siphonophores. Unlike true jellyfish which are mobile in their own right, Bluebottles have no mechanism to achieve this and rely solely on wind for their movement. The sting of this species can be quite painful, and care should be taken when a "bloom" comes ashore. Wikipedia-Bluebottle Kōpūwaitōtara/Porcupine Fish Allomycterus pilatus One of the more unusual sights seen around the tide line is this heart-shaped structure. It is the swim bladder of the Porcupine Fish. Occasionally the intact body of this spiny fish is also found. Porcupine Fish are a more common species in northern Aotearoa New Zealand than in the south. It is a species frequenting depths of up to 100 m. They are able to inflate their body when threatened and if found on the beach, avoid as they contain a toxin . iNaturalist-Porcupine Fish Ngaokeote/Scarlet Tubeworm Galeolaria hystrix One of the most unusual items you may be lucky enough to find on the beach appears to be either a piece of coral or some cement and its hardness would seem to indicate that it could be the latter. If you look closely at the texture, it consists of a lot of bumps with some holes at one end, some of which appear to have tube-like structures at the entrance. Scarlet Tubeworms construct calcareous tubes as habitats, which frequently become fused together. Wikipedia-Galeolaria Ram's Horn Shell Spirula spirula Although this seems very shell-like, it is in fact the internal flotation mechanism of a species of deep-water squid. This is a tiny species, reaching a length of only 45 mm and living at depths of up to 1000 m. These shells are extremely light and very buoyant, floating on the surface they are carried on the ocean currents and turn up in their hundreds on beaches. The live squid is capable of emitting a green light from a photophore (cell) located at the tip of its mantle. Wikipedia-Ram's Horn Shell Kaireka/European Skylark Alauda arvensis Like many other species of introduced birds, mainly perching birds, it was in the 1860's that saw the first influx after which the quickly became established and soon spread throughout the country. They are a common bird in the Foxton area and are frequently heard in the spring when male fly high uttering their distinctive, melodious calls. Birds are often disturbed in the dunes, and it is then that their footprints can be found. BirdsNZ-Skylark Sambar Deer Rusa unicolor This species of deer is only found on the North Island and the Manawatū/Whanganui region is one of two strongholds for this species, the other being Hawke's Bay. Tracks can often be seen in the sand and is generally the only sign these animals are in the area. It is thought they periodically cross the river at low tide. They are an introduced species and in their homeland of Southeast Asia they are classified as vulnerable. Wikipedia-Sambar Deer Mussel Beard Quite often when you find mussel shells on the beach they may have attached to them what appears to be hair-like structures. These appear similar to a beard which gives them their common name. The technical term for these is byssus and they are formed by many species of bivalves (mussel family) and are secreted along sections of the shell. They are used to anchor them to a surface such as rocks where they create a hold-fast in strong currents. Wikipedia-Byssus Kararua/Dwarf Janthina Janthina exigua Among the many shells of various types and colours is sometimes seen this unusual shell. Looking more like that of a land snail it is a species of marine snail. This is the smallest of the five species at around 15 mm. The unique colouration serves a specific purpose and this is to do with its lifestyle of living on, and feeding off Bluebottles and By-the-wind sailor. They are capable of free-living by producing a raft of bubbles. More details are given in the link below. Wikipedia-Janthina Nursery Web Spider Dolomedes minor This may look like a web as used by many species of spiders to catch their prey , but it is in fact a case made out of silk in which she lays here eggs which she guards. If you look closely the numerous dark dots that you can see are in actual facts young spiderling that have recently hatched but not yet ventured out. Looking out from the Pinewood Road car park towards the saltmarsh, a number of these can be observed. Main species page Kowhai Sophora microphylla The seeds and seed pods of this familiar plant are not often seen on the beach but with the heavy rain and gale-force winds of recent times they are occasionally washed or blown on to the beach environs. They are a popular plant around the area in gardens, and their bright yellow flowers with an abundance of nectar are a magnet for Tui. They form as small tree which can reach 6 metres in height but rarely become a problem. Wikipedia-kowhai

Many thanks to Jonathon Gribble for allowing use of photograph and Horizons for producing the map. The population status of Fernbirds is now on the increase due in part to concentrated pest control efforts which has allowed birds to be re-introduced to areas that previously held populations. The closest being Pauatahanui Wildlife Reserve where, with a little effort, they are relatively easy to observe. It is a success story for pest control and relocations. A population is present at Fernbird Flats, and there is a robust pest control regime in the area. A brief survey carried out by Horizons in March 2025 reported good numbers. A total of 36 birds were detected in a series of 5 minute counts. A comprehensive survey is planned for spring 2025 so an accurate assessment of the entire population can be made. More often seen than heard it is a fairly drab brown speckled bird with a long tail which, because of its preferred habitat of wetland scrub is unlikely to be confused with any other species. Distribution is throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, including some of the islands but is a little patchy and their abundance, or otherwise is governed by suitable habitat being available. Wetland and surrounding areas have been much reduced in recent times, but it is hoped the interest in reversing this trend will benefit the species recovery. Diet consists mainly of insects but occasionally some seed and berries. nzbirdsonline-Fernbird Mātātā/New Zealand Fernbird Poodytes punctatus Endemic. At risk-declining. The Fernbird is one of the estuaries special birds that has a limited but concentrated distribution at the estuary The main population being at the aptly named Fernbird Flats which is an out of the way area that is relatively undisturbed. 2025 Mātātā/Fernbird monitoring – Manawatū Estuary Annual monitoring for Mātātā/Fernbird was conducted on the 09 December 2025. It was an excellent day for monitoring, with perfect, still sunny conditions. Monitoring was undertaken by Zoë Stone (Horizons Regional Council) and four volunteers – Dave Coles (Wildlife Foxton Trust) and Leah Lee, Kirsten Olsen and Stephen Legg from the Manawatū branch of Birds NZ. Two transects were monitored on Fernbird flats, starting at 7:30am. Along each transect, a 5-minute bird count was conducted every 100m, where we listened for 5 minutes and counted all heard and seen Mātātā. This was the 2nd year of monitoring, and a good number of Mātātā were observed. In total, 54 individuals were recorded during 1 ½ hrs of surveying. A highlight of the morning was a nest observation. The chicks could be heard calling hidden in a salt-marsh ribbonwood bush Plagianthus divaricatus , and the parents were seen carrying food and debris to/away from nest. On average 2.45 Mātātā were recorded per 5-minute bird count across both transects. Last year (2024) monitoring was only conducted along Transect 1, with an average of 2.7 Mātātā per count. This year, transect 1 had 3.5 mātātā per count. With only 2 years’ worth of data, it is still too early to assess the population trend. However, the good detection of birds this year may suggest the population is at least stable. Tabón, Emilio. 2005. Population Survey of the North Island Fernbird in the Manawatū Estuary. A Report Presented to the Friends of Mana Island.

white-faced heron Matuku hūrepo/Australasian Bittern Botauris poiciloptilus Native. Threatened - nationally critical. This rare species is found in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and New Caledonia where it inhabits areas near water that are heavily vegetated. Once said to inhabit suitable areas around the "Loop" with reports of up to seven being sighted at various times. Unfortunately, a brief survey in 2024/5 failed to record any, as did a similar one around the Estuary. It is hoped to undertake another, more thorough one in the 2025/6 breeding season. There is an abundance of small tuna (elvers) around the edges so food should not be a problem in raising any young. Water quality might be a problem though. During the breeding season males "boom", to attract females to their territories and it is this call that gives them away, as does their characteristic silhouette when flying. If you are lucky enough to see one, please report it using the contact form on support MET page NZbirdsonline-Australasian Bittern Conservation management of the critically endangered matuku-hūrepo/Australasian bittern: a review of threats and preliminary management techniques. By: Emma M. Williams. 2024. Department of Conservation Science for Conservation 341. 64 p. (PDF, 10,309) Australasian Bittern sightings around Foxton and Foxton Beach area The sightings on the above map are taken from eBird and indicate that there are several locations where bitterns can be seen around the area. There are also a number of unrecorded sightings from at least two other locations, including from the viewing platform at the end of Dawick Street. Around the beach area it is likely to be only isolated observations as habitat is not that suitable, while the cluster at the top of the map around Lake Omanu indicates a favoured location. The blue teardrop at the bottom is on the edge of Fernbird Flats while the three around the Loop also occur in suitable habitat with both these likely to be hotspots which need increased monitoring, details of which can be found in the document below. Protocols for the Inventory and Monitoring of Populations of the Australasian Bittern ( Botaurus poiciloptilus ) in New Zealand . By Colin F.J. O'Donell and Emma M. Williams. 2015. Department of Conservation Technical Series 38 Valuable information can also be found via Bittern Conservation Trust website . bittern Matuku moana/White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae Native. Not threatened. The White-faced Heron is the most common species of heron and is found throughout the country. They are a relatively new species to Aotearoa New Zealand, being self-introduced from Australia in the late 1940's. With the abundance of food and very little competition from similar species, population expansion was rapid. These elegant birds are solitary when foraging for food as they walk slowly in shallow water waiting for any sign of movement. Once detected, prey is seized with a rapid lunge of the beak. Food consists of fish and crabs in shallow water, also frogs, lizards and worms. A bulky mass of sticks and twigs usually constitute a nest and are generally built in the crowns of trees, usually. Clutch size varies from three to five eggs but usually only two or three chicks survive. They nest annually in the Foxton Beach area and young can be seen around the estuary from late spring onwards. nzbirdsonline-White-faced Heron white heron Kōtuku/White Heron Ardea modesta Native. Threatened-nationally critical. While widespread in Australia, the South Pacific and Asia where it is common, there is only one breeding colony in Aotearoa New Zealand and that is at Waitangiroto Nature Reserve in Westland. This was already established when discovered in 1865 and the population is currently thought to be around 200. During the winter these disperse around the country., occasionally being seen at the estuary. It is an elegant species with pure white plumage sporting a bright yellow beak and striking yellow eye. It is a revered species because of its elusiveness that in Māoridom there is a saying "he k ōtuku rerenga tahi" which literally means the bird of a single flight or once in a lifetime sighting. The similar Little Egret is much smaller and has a black bill and also turns up at the estuary from time to time. Diet consists of small fish, crabs, frogs and aquatic invertebrates. nzbirdsonline-White Heron

Papangaio Te Wharangi Manawatū Estuary Information on this website is found by clicking on related pictures, links or via the search button below. Checklist species can be found via the find and search icon on the home page ribbon on the relevant Excel spreadsheet once opened. Any upcoming events can be found here Search Unique Wildlife Viewing Platforms The Manawatu Estuary is a living habitat where international migratory birds and New Zealand shore birds use its ecological diversity to sustain their populations. The estuary is a Ramsar Wetland of International significance and is one of the most accessible Ramsar sites for viewing. The project to build two unique bird shaped viewing platforms, makes an open-air site for local residents, visitors and educational classes alike to enjoy a place to observe the estuary with its tidal fluctuations. These two, flying bird-shaped viewing platforms will accommodate the greater number of people who are becoming increasingly more interested in estuaries, especially school groups. We are very grateful for the generosity of Sheila Coombs who funded this project. Once the concept plan above is complete, a photograph will be included in the slideshow above. Introduction The Manawatū Estuary Trust is a charitable Trust that was formed in 2001 by members of The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc. and The Ornithological Society of New Zealand. The Trust is dedicated to ensuring sustainable and wise management of the Manawatū Estuary, which is a very important habitat for native wildlife. The Trust now has numerous members, including wildlife tour groups, schools, organisations and individuals. The Manawatū Estuary Trust works closely with the Department of Conservation, New Zealand Landcare Trust, Horizons Regional Council, Horowhenua District Council and Wildlife Foxton Trust, which at the moment helps provide the Trust with technical expertise. The Manawatū Estuary Trust also has long standing relationships with academics from Massey University. The Trust has accepted responsibility for carrying out various tasks, such as public education, advocacy, assisting in the preparation of management plans, coordination between public authorities, interest groups and the community, fundraising and construction of information signs. Location The Manawatū Estuary lies at the mouth of the Manawatū River on the west coast of the lower North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand, beside the settlement of Foxton Beach. Foxton Beach is 5km west of Foxton township, 20km north of Levin, and 30km south of Bulls. From Palmerston North it takes half an hour to drive to Foxton Beach; from Wellington about two hours. State Highway 1 will take you to Foxton, from which it is easy to get to Foxton Beach. Please be aware of the following when visiting the Estuary Dogs are not allowed on the bird sanctuary. Dogs can scare the birds that use the estuary for feeding and roosting. Please keep your dog(s) on a lead when exploring the estuary area outside the bird sanctuary. Vehicles are not allowed on the bird sanctuary. However, vehicle access is permitted on the beach, as well as on the estuary shore near the river mouth. Most motorists are very considerate, but it is important to be aware of moving vehicles and to respect sensitive areas such as the dunes which contain many rare plants and should not be driven over. The Manawatū Estuary is a tidal area. When exploring the environment, remember to be aware of the incoming tide. Check tide tables if spending time on the beach or other tidal areas and allow plenty of time and a clear pathway to safety. The estuary can experience strong winds and inclement weather at times so please check conditions before travelling and be aware that they can change quickly with little notice.

Kekeno/New Zealand Fur Seal Arctocephalus forsteri Native. Not threatened. In recent years, at least one adult can be viewed fairly frequently in the vicinity of the boat club, either swimming close to shore or sleeping on the rocks. At certain times of the year, usually from May to September when pups start to be weaned from their mothers, they may come ashore and are more frequently being seen at Foxton Beach. They are usually just resting so advisable to leave them alone but if unsure consult DoC fact sheet for advice. Males are larger than females and are polygamous, mating with numerous females, Pups are born nine months after mating. Small fish and squid comprise the main elements of their diet, but larger fish will also be taken, and this is where conflict between humans and seals can arise with some being caught in nets. More details can be found on the DoC factsheet New Zealand Fur Seal fact.

Over time this section will include content that will point readers to areas of research that has either been completed or projects that are in progress. It will also include sections on how and where to record sightings and areas where identification of species can be found or questions asked. This page is still under development but please feel free to contact the developer via the submission form under the Support MET tab with any additional groups or sites that you feel should be included. With global warming and the more expansive movements of some animals and plants that seems to be occurring, recording programs which, at the moment seem not to be relevant to the area are included as they may be in the future, bearing in mind that in the past couple of years Sea Turtles and Sea Snakes have been found on local beaches and in December 2023 a Hector's/Maui Dolphin was seen our coast. RECORDING SITES Links are included but may take on the form of a logo rather than the standard method adopted throughout the rest of the website. Registration is required and once this is done, the easiest way to get started is to click on the submit button, then using the "find it on a map" section, locate the recording site and give it a name. This will then be registered and can be found from your drop-down list on that page. Press continue and what follows is self-explanatory. This is a global database and can be used to enter sightings from anywhere in the world, also allowing species to be searched for with location lists giving an idea of what species.are in an area that may be of interest. Full user tutorial . Again, this is a global database in which records can be entered from anywhere in the world. It also allows you to search for species and location lists. Registration is required but is fairly straight forward. Once done, open site and click add observation and follow instructions, Once this is done entries can be made, ideally with a photograph as this then allows verification of the species if needed. Add as much information as possible. The estuary is an important area for migratory birds and provides excellent opportunities to observe marked individuals. Over many years, significant research has been carried out on these global travellers, some of which may cover more than one hundred thousand kilometres in their lifetime. Although newer tracking technologies are now available, they are not suitable for all species or marking projects. Consequently, traditional marking methods continue to play an important role. For many years, birds have been fitted with metal bands engraved with a unique identification number and linked to the NZ National Bird Banding Scheme (NZNBBS) - in Aotearoa New Zealand, this is managed by the Wildlife Marking Office, Department of Conservation (DOC). In addition, coloured leg bands are also used. Unlike metal bands, which usually require the bird to be recaptured for accurate reading, colour bands can often be identified from a distance in the field. Observations of these marked birds can be reported to the NZNBBS using the sightings form, which explains how to correctly record band combinations and provides all required details. If possible, please take a photograph of any marked bird you observe and submit it along with your completed sighting report. The database has accumulated over 2 million bird records (first marking and resighting records) and the estuary is an ideal place to contribute to this dataset. After a major weather event the group of animals most likely to be affected are sea birds, species that live most of their lives on the open ocean, only coming ashore to breed. Individuals can be washed up on beaches and although, most are dead, they can still provide valuable data so please record fatalities via Seabird Beach Patrol Scheme. Identification can, in some case, be made by shape of the bill which is quite distinctive in many species. Thank to Birds NZ four identification cards ( no.1 no.2 no.3 no.4 ) are available here. These can be downloaded and laminated or photographs taken for later reference but please record. If a band is present please record on the form listed above. A tagging program operates for New Zealand Sea Lions and while they are mostly restricted to the lower South Island they are becoming more numerous with reports of individuals wandering further afield so keep an eye out for any plastic flipper tags if you are lucky enough to see one. Other means of tracking are employed but are used only by professionals with the right equipment. Remember the safety guidelines of not approaching closer than 10 m but photographs can be taken and enlarged on a computer which will help with reading the number. Details can be recorded on Sea Lion Tags which also has heaps of other interesting information. The Sea Lion Trust is also a good general website as is the SeaSpotted website for a downloadable reporting App. ARDS is the Amphibian and Reptile Distribution Scheme administered by DoC to plot distribution and occurrence of these species that are reported from Aotearoa New Zealand. Frogs (endemic and introduced), Geckos, Skinks, Tuatara, Sea Snakes and Sea Turtles are included, and data can be found on the atlas via a drop-down list of over a hundred species with both common and scientific names given for easy location. Each species contains data and a map, which unfortunately gives a location and not actual sites where recorded. Difficult with common species but for sparsely recorded species such as Sea Snakes and Sea Turtles specific locations would have been good. A recording form for observations is given here . Found exclusively in certain coastal waters around the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand, Māui Dolphin is the world's smallest and rarest dolphin, with an estimated 65 individuals left in the wild. Hector's Dolphin is very similar and found mainly around the South Island with a few stragglers making it further north. Both being the only dolphins in Aotearoa New Zealand to have a rounded dorsal fin so both are easily identifiable as a species and because of their rarity any sightings should be recorded. This can be done using a link via this page which also contains other valuable information and links. See Mammals for reporting other whale and dolphin sightings. Visit the SeaSpotter website for a downloadable reporting App. FACEBOOK GROUPS Many Facebook groups have been set up to cover a wide range of subjects, mainly on a national basis but are included because they could be relevant to the area and are a useful platform to upload photographs onto if you want an identification. Likewise, many national conservation organisations have posts which are also worth seeing. As such, listed below are a number of sites but please use the search tool on Facebook to check them out - some you need to join before being able to open but each will explain. None are included as links as an extra security safeguard, and it is up to the individual to make the choice. Manawatū Estuary Trust Wildlife Foxton Trust Forest and Bird New Zealand Native Orchids New Zealand Bird Identification Insects and Invertebrates of New Zealand Native Plants of Aotearoa (New Zealand) New Zealand Garden Bird Survey New Zealand Lizard Identification Mushrooms of New Zealand New Zealand Birders Wildlife of New Zealand The New Zealand Epiphyte Network Fernbirds Orca Watch New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority NZ Cetacean Spotting NZ - Whale and Dolphin Watch New Zealand Bittern Conservation New Zealand Nature New Zealand Whale and Dolphin Watch - Wellington Godwits New Zealand Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust species list FOXTON BEACH/ESTUARY SPECIES LIST Most records that are available just give Foxton Beach as a location but an iNaturalist Manawatū Estuary Ramsar site has been set up to record species with all having at least one photograph to identify it. The full Excel spreadsheet list has been split and is now linked via the introduction page.to that sections species list but please bare in mind that they are far from complete and still a work in progress that needs peer reviewing. It is included as an excel file for people to have a look at and get an idea of how valuable an area this is. There are notations in some area for further research which will be followed up at some point. There are still species to classify correctly (and to add) and arrange so please take at face value but contact me via the form under the Support MET tab if you have any comments. Up-dates will be added as and when but feel free to download.

This group of animals in not well represented around the estuary with very few species likely to be seen and then, most are most likely to have been introduced. There is every likelihood that in the near future some marine species may crop up, either as live specimens or washed-up fatalities as has happened on several beaches along this coast in recent years. Sea Turtles and Sea Snakes are the most likely candidates. A checklist of species recorded from the area is included here . Information is basic and continually updated with links given by the usual method to a wealth of additional information. Headings and columns A and B are locked, so are always visible. Web address links are edited to fit within the static species columns. List can be downloaded, and additions added for personal use be "save as". These will not be saved to web. The latest report by the Department of Conservation on the status of Amphibians in Aotearoa Nea Zealand has just been published (February 2025) and is downloadable here . Northern Grass Skink Oligosoma polychroma Endemic. Not threatened Sadly, this was until quite recently the common species seen around Foxton Beach, but it is the introduced Plague Skink (see pest fauna) from Australia that is now the most frequently encountered. The two species are very similar and descriptions of how to tell them apart is described in this DoC poster. Further inland this is still a common species Occurs in a wide range of habitats but most often in rough pasture and some urban gardens where is shelters amongst wood piles and other garden items. Also, likes to bask on sunny days and are usually first seen as they scurry away. They can be long lived and reach maturity at around four years old, and they give birth to live young. Diet consists of small insects with some fruit when in season. New Zealand Herpetological Society-Northern Grass Skink Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Native non-resident. Vagrant . The Olive Ridley is the smallest of the seven species of sea turtle that are found mainly in the warmer waters of the world, including periodically northern regions of Aotearoa New Zealand. Growing up to 80 cm and weighing around 50 kg when adult with both sexes similar in size but females have a more rounded carapace (shell). Recorded periodically, its status in Aotearoa New Zealand is listed only as a native none resident but on a global scale is included under the IUCN categorizations as Vulnerable and decreasing. It is however probably the most abundant species. Two have been found on local beaches in the last two years, including one at Foxton Beach in October 2024. Both were alive, but in very poor condition and neither survived. Olive Ridley Project

Taupata/Mirror Bush Coprosma repens Endemic. Not threatened. This endemic species is common in the Foxton Beach area, in the estuary, the dunes, and around the township. In the Dune Garden wetland area, it is not common, but seedlings pop up all the time, and a few will doubtless grow to maturity, even if that is not presently the case. In estuaries along this coast, it is not unusual to find a small Taupata tree growing in the crevices of a larger fallen tree trunk. In the dunes, it can thrive on the front side of the front dune, and is a versatile plant evolved for this area. Interestingly it is in the same family as coffee and forms a bush or small tree reaching up to 8m. Shiny leaves are not unique to the species, but certainly are a characteristic, hence one of its alternative names is ‘mirror plant’. It is also called the New Zealand laurel which it does vaguely resemble. Peak flowering period is reported to be from June to February with the green/white flowers developing into orange berries from July onwards. While found wild only in Aotearoa New Zealand, it is naturalised in Hawaii, Australia, California and South Africa and in some areas, it is now classed as a weed. Also grown widely as a garden plant, consequently various cultivars have been developed. NZPCN-Coprosma repens iNaturalist-Coprosma repens

History The Manawatū Estuary (or Foxton Estuary) lies on the western edge of the Manawatū Plains. Situated in the Horowhenua district of the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand. The first inhabitants of the area were Māori who probably arrived in the fourteenth century, travelling along the coast and then using the Manawatū River to move into the hinterland. They were likely moa hunters, and archaeological remains have been found at sites on the dunes. The fertile floodplain and the presence of the river, which could provide both food and a highway, made the area attractive to settlers. By tradition the name of the river was given to it by Haunui, who travelled along the west coast of the lower North Island in search of his wife and named most of the rivers in the area. In the 1820s Te Rauparaha led a successful invasion into the Manawatū by Waikato tribes and new tribes took ownership of the area. Part of the reason for this move was to be nearer Wellington and Kapiti where local Māori were trading with the newcomer Europeans to gain fascinating and useful things like muskets. The principal white settlement in the area was established at Paiaka in 1844, with a small trading center set up there to take advantage of the small schooners that were at the time sailing between Wellington and North Island west coast rivers. The first traders at Paiaka and Shannon traded mostly for flax from the Māori, which was sent to Sydney. The Kebbell brothers set up a flax mill in Paiaka in 1842, sending loads of local goods from their jetty to Wellington on small coastal ships. This was only the first of many mills, as flax was an important resource, used for making rope, cordage, and cloth in the years before artificial fibres were available. Ships were the only real way of getting cargoes to and from the area, since most of the land was covered in a thick blanket of bush and there were no roads. The west coast of the North Island has no natural harbours but a rich alluvial plain hinterland, and the rivers were used as transport into the central areas. The Estuary was an important means for all this water travel. The beach has always been used as a roadway by both locals and passers-through. The stagecoach travelled along the beach between Wellington and Wanganui from the 1840s, initially making an overnight stop at the ferry house at the mouth of the river but moving this stop up into Foxton around 1886. After the destruction of Paiaka in 1855 by an earthquake the settlers moved downstream to Te Awahou, where there were already a shop and hotel set up (the area had been occupied since 1842 by Captain Robinson), and the place was renamed Foxton in the 1860s after Sir William Fox, with the settlement’s centre being Cook’s store and jetty. Between 1840 and 1863 schooners were used for river transport, but by 1863 they had been replaced by steamers. The first steamer crossed the Manawatū bar in 1860 and took cargo 27 miles upstream. In the 1860s the Crown began buying Manawatū land from the Māori. In the Manawatū, unlike further north, this was a fairly amicable process despite some debate over whether the land was owned by the tribes who had recently invaded or the subject tribes who had been there longer. The 1870s saw the beginning of serious colonisation of the Manawatū area and was a busy time for Foxton as a port, for the sea was then the best and easiest way to transport goods and people to the Manawatū region. In 1872 the river was so busy that a pilot was assigned developing to be permanently on duty at the Heads to see ships over the dangerous bar; his duties also included making sure the river was cleared for shipping as far upriver as Paiaka. Vessels up to 20 ton register were capable of going as far upriver as Ngawhakarau while river canoes could supply transport up to the Papaioea clearing (which later became Palmerston North). During this decade a tramway was built that linked Foxton and Palmerston North (and was later converted into a railway) and roads and rails began to link the Manawatū with places like Wellington and Wanganui. Flax was always the most important of the trading goods being taken out of Foxton, and for many years Foxton was synonymous with flax in New Zealanders' minds. While the forest was being cleared on the plains, there was also a temporary boom in the timber trade. Around 1881 trade began to drop off and shipping at the port dropped. Although Foxton had initially been the largest town in the area, by 1880 Palmerston North had outstripped it; Foxton, with its port, was useful, but now that the central areas of the region were being opened up there was more scope for farming in the hinterland. Foxton’s sandy soil was not good for agriculture. In the 1880s there was a depression that put a halt to several government projects, including a partly completed railway between Wellington and the Manawatū that had been planned to go through Foxton and would have cemented the town’s importance in the district. A group of businessmen annoyed by the delay chose to fund the construction themselves, but since they owned land in the Palmerston North area the planned track was diverted to run through Palmerston North and bypassed Foxton in 1886, to the great annoyance of Foxton residents. The presence of the railway lessened the need for the port, making it no longer the only way to get bulk goods out of the region, and since Foxton lacked any other important features, this made it harder for the town to grow. The late 1880s saw a short-lived flax boom that briefly allowed Foxton to once again grow and function as a bustling port. By 1888 the recently extended wharf was host to regular and diverse shipping and river traffic was also increased. In 1889 it was quite common to see two or more steamers docked together at the wharf and by October the port was dealing with record tonnages. Visiting ships were also becoming larger, but with the increasing draughts the Manawatū bar was becoming a greater problem and although smaller ships could come in on one high tide and come out on the next, larger ships often had to wait. The flax boom once again faded in 1890 and shipping dropped away. At the start of the twentieth century Foxton Beach began to be seen as a holiday spot and bachs began to occupy the area that had previously hosted a hotel and stagecoach post and the pilot's station. A third flax boom, beginning in 1898, was the most lasting and saw another increase in shipping, with three or four steamers berthed together at the wharf being an unexceptional sight and over ten steamers making regular visits. In 1902 plant growth for the flax trade was stimulated via drainage of swamplands and in 1903 the Moutoa Estate, a wetland area [10km] upstream of Foxton, was developed as the main supply of flax, leading to the creation of a fleet of river launches that towed punts loaded high with flax. By 1908 problems with river silting and bar strandings meant that coastal shipping was avoiding Foxton. By 1916 there were only two ships coming into the port. Although shipping continued in a desultory fashion for the next while, by 1942 Foxton had ceased to function as a port. The collapse of the flax boom in 1919 meant that people in the Foxton area turned from flax growing to farming and started draining the wetlands that had provided flax for so long. But farms are much more prone to flooding and with the loss of forest cover in the hills and on the plains flooding was greatly increased and more severe, leading to the creation of stopbanks, floodgates, and the Whirokino Cut. The Whirokino Cut, completed in 1943 as part of the Lower Manawatū Flood Control Scheme, was meant to be a spillway but an unexpected flood cut through and cut off the Foxton loop of the river, meaning that the Foxton harbour could no longer function as a harbour and causing a huge amount of anger amongst the locals. The Foxton Loop that runs alongside Foxton today used to be a part of the main river but now the upstream end isn’t connected to the river and there is only a tidal flow in the loop. In 1959 the railway stopped running and now all transport to the estuary is via road. The shape of the estuary itself is constantly changing. The river mouth is being pushed south because of the predominantly westerly ocean swell and west-northwest winds. The coastline itself is growing at a rate of about half a metre a year, and in the last 6,500 years has grown about 4km, so that the area on which Foxton Beach stands was under water not that long ago. There has probably been an estuary in the region of Foxton for the last 5,000 years; this is a short life in geological terms, but New Zealand estuaries are no older than 6,500 years, formed by rising sea levels at that time. At the moment the mouth of the estuary is migrating south at a rate of at least 15m a year (under constant conditions), forming a sandspit on its north side. During floods this sandspit is eroded and the river mouth moves back north. Without human intervention (in the form of stopbanks along the Foxton Beach township) the river would eventually punch its way back northward, cutting off the current river mouth, and then started working its way back south. 150 years ago, the area of Foxton Beach was either directly on the river bank or under the river. The creation of the Whirokino Cut has also altered the shape of the estuary, and by changing the direction of the water it has changed where the river bends are eroding. Fernbird Flat has altered in shape and size in the last 50 years, becoming longer and larger. The Waitarere Forest block is being eroded away: the river has encroached into it so that between 1980 and 2003 the riverbank shifted 300m and 40 hectares of land was lost into the river with a corresponding growth in the Fernbird Flat.

It is well known that Aotearoa New Zealand has a disproportionate number of introduced species and that many of them have become a serious problem around the estuary. Efforts are being made to control and eradicate them, but it is a continuous battle that needs constant effort to keep on top of it. Click on the pictures below to go to some of the current information on work that is being done around the estuary. Pest Fauna Pest Plants

nzbirdsonline-R oyal Spoonbill Kōtuku ngutupapa/Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia Native. At risk-naturally uncommon. With its distinctive long black, spoon-shaped beak and all white plumage they are an easily recognised bird around the Estuary. They have a really noticeable yellow patch above the eye and at the onset of the breeding season both sexes develop a head crest. Originally hailing from Australia, Kōtuku ngutupapa/Royal Spoonbills like many waterbirds are quite mobile and were first recorded in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1861. From then they have spread slowly throughout the country. Between four and ten birds are seen in the estuary during winter months. The highest ever recorded total of 58 being observed in 1993 which, at the time was believed to be the largest in the country. Nesting in the region has not been confirmed but they were suspected to have bred in the Whirikino swamp area during 1945. Diet consists of small fish, crabs and aquatic invertebrates which they locate by sweeping their beak from side to side as they walk along in the shallows. A survey in 2012 recorded 2361 birds while the one conducted on 6th July 2024 recorded 4547, confirming suspected increase .

Fungi, Mosses and Lichens The diversity of fungi species is not that well recorded from the area and while many species are likely to be added over time from surrounding areas, especially in woodland, there is still much searching still to be done. A checklist of fungi, along with the few species of mosses and lichens recorded from the area is included here . Information is basic and continually up-dated with links given by the usual method to a wealth of additional information. Headings and columns A and B are locked, so are always visible. This checklist does not follow a recognised format as one doesn't appear to exist for species recorded in Aotearoa New Zealand. Web address links are edited to fit within the static species columns. List can be downloaded and additions for personal use be "save as". These will not be saved to the web. White Basket Fungus Fly Agaric Cup Fungus Gold-eye Lichen