The Manawatū Estuary Trust is grateful for the support it receives from the community and organisations that fund community groups. We rely on volunteers and donations to run. The Manawatū Estuary Trust holds committee meetings on the first Tuesday of every month and these are held at Holben Pavilion starting at 7pm. The meetings are open to both the public and community. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held in November. A guest speaker and afternoon tea generally follow the proceedings. Details will appear here and on our Facebook page so check in nearer the time. Please contact us if you would like to become a member of the Manawatū Estuary Trust. The annual subscription is $20 for an individual or family. Payment can be made by electronic payment to: Account name - Manawatū Estuary Trust Account number - 38-9007-0522216-00 Kiwi Bank, Levin You can contact us by email using the form below or by post at: Manawatū Estuary Trust P.O. Box 11 Foxton Beach Your details were sent successfully! Send

Päpaka/Tunnelling Mud Crab Austrohelice crassa Endemic. Not assessed. A frequently seen animal on the mudflats around the estuary which is easily observed from the viewing platform on Dawick Street. As their name suggests they are enthusiastic tunnellers and can have a very complex burrow system which they diligently clean out at low tide. Scavengers by nature, they will eat not only carrion, worms and algae (seaweed) but also rummage through mud for morsels to eat. As far as mud crabs go, they are a small species with a carapace (shell) growing to a maximum of 40mm. Eyes are on stalks, and these are reputed to see movement up to 40 metres distance but even so, they are a favourite prey of kōtare/kingfishers around the estuary which hunt them from perched on tree debris or other structures that provide them with some elevation. iNaturalist-T unneling Mud Crab titan acorn barn Titan Acorn Barnacle Megabalanus coccopama What is believed to be the first record for this large and colourful barnacle found naturally in Aotearoa New Zealand was in November 2020 at Foxton Beach. There are several other records however of them being attached to ships. Their natural distribution is the Pacific coasts of South and Central America but is now being reported from other parts of the world, plus heading northward towards North America. It has been reported several times from Australia. As the individual found locally was attached to a cuttlefish bone it is thought to have originated from Australia where the nearest population of these familiar beach oddities are found. Like numerous other species it is thought to be expanding its range as sea temperatures gradually warm. Wikipedia-Titan Acorn Barnacle Smithsonian Institute-Invasive data

Ferns Although fairly common and abundant in surrounding areas, ferns are not that numerous in terms of species around the Estuary, but several can be seen in close proximity including the specialist Water Fern. A checklist of ferns 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. Retoreto/Red Azolla Rauarahu/Austral Bracken Petako/Sickle Spleenwort

Wīwī/Sea Rush Juncus krausii Native. Not threatened. As with some other rushes, the Māori name for this species is lumped together under Wīwī. In this Ramsar site, it is the most common species, but in the salt marsh area it endures competition, some native, some exotic and is only encountered infrequently. There are presently none of these plants in the Dune Garden, but it is found in ephemeral dune wetlands at a number of points along this coast and is widespread throughout Aotearoa New Zealand in various saltwater habitats. It is also found throughout Australia, Southern Africa and South America and because the stems are fibrous they are used by indigenous Australians and the Zulu people of South African to make sleeping mats, baskets and crafts. Even in some areas, fishing line. Because of this usefulness, it is cultivated and managed to ensure a regular supply. Little used here in Aotearoa New Zealand as the endemic Harakeke/New Zealand Flax is a readily available fibre and has a greater range of uses because of its larger size and superior strength. iNaturalist-Juncus kraussii NZPCN-Juncus kraussii australiensis Oioi Oioi/Jointed Wire Rush Apodasmia similis Endemic. Not threatened. This is a common rush throughout the estuary and dune wetlands of this coast, indeed around much of Aotearoa New Zealand. Oioi is dioecious, which means it has gender and unlike many species, the sex of each plant is visible without the need of a microscope. It can grow very densely, so that there is seldom room for other vegetation amongst the stems of any cluster. One downside of this is that Oioi can crowd out smaller species, as part of natural succession processes. Because it can be colourful, Oioi is used widely nationally as an ornamental plant, such on the walk between the international and domestic terminals at Auckland airport. NZPCN-Apodasmia similis iNaturalist-Apodasmia similis Purua Grass Purua Grass Bolboschoenus caldwellii Native. Not threatened. Also known by its alternative name of Caldwell's Club Rush this is an annual grass, which in winter dies down leaving only the detritus from the past summer’s growth. It occupies a large area of the salt marsh immediately south of Sunset Walkway and is the dominant species that is easily visible from the viewing platform on Darwick Street throughout summer and autumn. It is a coastal-loving species associated with Estuaries and lowland saline areas and in some locations can occur in pasture bordering its favoured habitat. It is also found in Australia. The main spike bares three to six red-brown spikelets which develop tiny flowers between October and January. A nut-like fruit appears between December and May which, because of the volume produced soon creates dense patched. They are believed to be dispersed mainly by water but also by wind. NZPCN-Bolboschoenus caldwellii iNaturalist-353857 knobby club rush Wiwi/Knobby Club Rush Ficinia nodosa Native. Not threatened. Wiwi is a common rush around the southern hemisphere. It is one of several species labelled under the same moniker. Growing in xeric (dry) dunes as well as in wetland and estuarine situations, Although a mainly coastal species it has been recorded at altitudes up to 700m above sea level. It is a tough plant - often the last remaining native species before being swamped by exotics. White flowers appear from September to December and fruits between November and May. When ripe, the nuts are thought to be dispersed by wind. NZPCN-Ficinia nodosa iNaturalist-Ficinia nodosa coastalrestorationtrust-wiwi

Mammals Aotearoa New Zealand is not well represented by native terrestrial (land) mammals with neither of the two species of bat being recorded in the area. Introduced exotic species, however, are an ever-present problem with Brown and Black Rats, House Mice, Weasel, Stoat, Ferret and Hedgehog being the main culprits, all capable of impacting on local wildlife. Some control of these species takes place around areas of the Ramsar site such as Fernbird Flats, but little is done elsewhere. A page is being developed with information on how to control some of these species and where to go for expert advice, plus other valuable information. Marine mammals are more numerous around the coasts and several species can be seen at certain times of the year. Sightings can be useful to record so if you are fortunate enough to witness these enigmatic creatures please report using this form . Most however are recorded as either beach wrecks (fatalities) or strandings. Report whale or dolphin incidents to the DoC emergency hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). A checklist of species 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 follows a recognised international format and may not follow any that are used 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 web. Kekeno/Australasian Fur Seal

Punakuru/Angled Lobelia Lobelia anceps Native. Not threatened. Punakuru/Angled Lobelia has a tiny but prominent presence in the Dune Garden, not least because it flowers for much of the year. Besides Aotearoa New Zealand, it is also found in Australia, South Africa and Chile. It is a coastal and lowland plant that is generally found in exposed places that includes riversides and near lakes. Among it’s characteristics, in the Dune Garden it grows mostly prostrate (along the surface), but when it grows amongst other vegetation such as Kōwhangatara/Spinifex or Marram Grass, stretches upwards impressively, occasionally exceeding 30cm in height. Flowers are blue to purple. NZPCN-Lobelia anceps iNaturalist-Punakuru

Legislation can be divided into three main sections - National, Regional and District, all of which will cover many aspects of use and protection of the Estuary. Those on a National level cover the whole country. The Regional encompasses groups of districts. Horowhenua is our local district and is grouped with other districts to create the Manawatū-Whanganui Region (called Horizons). National legislation directs Regional legislation and Regional legislation directs District legislation. Click on each banner to access either National, Regional and District legislation, each of which will contain links applicable to the Estuary and surrounding area. These will be divided further into categories, if needed, such as wildlife, water, land etc and will have links to main pages, if present on the website. HOROWHENUA DISTRICT COUNCIL LEGISLATION The full range of Policies and Bylaws applicable on a local level can be viewed here......... .. Local Bylaws and Policies The recently updated Public Placed Bylaw in available here......... . Public Places Bylaw 2024 The recently updated Dog Control Bylaw is available here....... Dog Control Bylaw 2025 The Local Waters Combined Bylaw came into effect on 1 July 2025 and means there is now one combined bylaw covering all our local water services. Previously there were three different Bylaws (Water Supply, Wastewater and Trade Waste) and no Stormwater Bylaw. All previous bylaws can be viewed through Local Bylaws and Policies. Sections of Land Transport Bylaw are applicable to the estuary as areas of the beach are classed as a road. HORIZONS REGIONAL COUNCIL LEGISLATION Much of the legislation applicable to both the Manawatū River and Estuary is governed by Horizons Regional Council. The overarching bylaw is https://www.horizons.govt.nz/flood-emergency-management/river-safety and the foreword to this document is reproduced below to give an idea of the scope this covers. Please refer to this for any information needed if planning to use the river for either commercial or recreational purposes as some restrictions may apply. Water quality data is available here if you are planning to be in the water for whatever reason. The other main recreational use is whitebaiting and the current regulations can be found here. For more detail on the various tasks undertaken by Horizons in relation to flood management, please consult horizons.govt.nz AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND LEGISLATION The Aotearoa New Zealand Government has its own website specifically dedicated to legislation and is available here . Perhaps the most important legislation for the area is the Wildlife Act . This is a comprehensive document covering all aspects of wildlife protection. When the link above is activated, it takes you to the contents page where each section has a link to the subject covered. A link to secondary legislation is included but has only a limited implication for our area. When searching for specific content, those items will be highlighted yellow . hdc horizons aotearoa MINISTRY FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (MPI) mpi The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is responsible for overseeing and regulating New Zealand's primary industries, including agriculture, fisheries, food safety, and biosecurity. It is a complex organisation and is the go to place for regulations surrounding many aspects of business, animal welfare and biosecurity. Their website can be found here and contains a wealth of information, including detailed information on emerging biosecurity threats such as Yellow-legged Hornet and Golden Clam.

About the estuary The Manawatū Estuary is a very special place in Aotearoa New Zealand. So special in fact, that it has been designated as a Wetland of International Importance (a Ramsar site), one of only seven in Aotearoa New Zealand. Bar-tailed Godwits feeding at the Estuary The importance of the area lies partly in its role as permanent or temporary home to 23 threatened species: thirteen species of bird, six species of fish, and four species of plants. The estuary is an important habitat for migratory native fish living upriver, as many Aotearoa New Zealand species need to go to sea at some point in their life cycle. The mudflats serve as a feeding ground for many migratory birds each year. A very high diversity of birds and fish is supported by these waters; 95 species of birds have been recorded here, meaning the estuary holds one of the greatest diversities of bird species in the country. As the largest (over 200 ha) and most significant estuary in the southern half of the North Island, the Manawatū Estuary offers important habitat for many different wildlife species, including the migratory Bar-tailed Godwit, which flies all the way from Alaska to spend our summer here before returning to the Arctic for the northern summer to breed. The Land Air Water Aotearoa website (LAWA) has some more interesting information about estuaries, including what can be found at the Manawatū Estuary. More on the history of the estuary and river can be found here .

Birds Shorebirds are some of the special birds found at the estuary. These are wading birds, most of whom live in wetland or coastal areas. Shorebirds usually feed by picking invertebrates or molluscs out of the substrate of rivers, lakes, or coasts which usually involves some wading, hence their alternative name of waders. The sandspit at Foxton Beach is the best place to view shorebirds and this is easily done at high tide from the viewing platform on Dawick Street. At this time birds are mostly resting and are easy to observe and you may even be lucky enough to spot something out of the ordinary. When the tide is lower, birds can be seen feeding on the extensive mudflats. Some species are exclusively estuarine (feeding only on the estuary mudflats) but some species can also be seen all along the Manawatū River. Many of the estuary shorebirds are migratory arriving in good numbers for our summer while some Aotearoa New Zealand birds, like the Wrybill winter in the estuary and then fly to the South Island to breed in our summer. Long distance travelers, such as the Bar-tailed Godwits are our renowned summer visitors, before returning to the Arctic for the northern summer to breed. As well as waders, seabirds and wetland birds are present at the estuary. A national wader count is carried out twice a year to monitor long-term trends in the wader population at sites throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Click here to find out more about the wader counts on a national scale. Thanks to Birds NZ, a breakdown for those species recorded in the estuary is available here. Please bear in mind this is a snapshot on any one given day. More detailed information is given below under the 6 eBird estuary locations. A checklist of species 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 follows a recognised international format and may not follow any that are used 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 web. Sightings of banded/flagged birds at the Estuary When bird-watching from the viewing platform on Dawick Street, coloured leg bands/rings may be seen on some birds. These have been applied through research projects, not only in Aotearoa New Zealand but also overseas. These can take the form of either plain colours, inscribed with numbers/letters or flags. Details are entered into a database which can, over time help build up a picture of some of their movements. Details on how to report these are explained in more detail on the research page here A few examples are given here for birds seen at the estuary. This is only a snapshot of what has been recorded with Department of Conservation database holding extensive data sets. Complete details include age, sex and other records are held there but those included via this link give only brief details of the species recorded so far - Bar-tailed Godwits, Lesser Knot, Caspian Tern, Fairy Tern and Shore Plover. Top and side columns are locked so details are scrollable. The Estuary, although not one of the official East Asian - Australian Flyway (EAFF) shorebird registered sites, the area is still within the flyway and birds visit from all over. Protocols for colour marking of shorebirds worldwide has just been revised and is available here . There are 6 bird recording hotspots within Foxton Beach recorded on eBird and these are given below. Click on each link to view sighting in more detail, scrolling through the options as required. 1 2 3 5 6 4 1 Foxton Beach - Outer Coast 2 Foxton Beach (general) 3 Bollards, Manawatū Estuary 4 Dawick Street Viewing Platform 5 Foxton Beach Boardwalk 6 Manawatū Estuary near Boat Ramp e Bird Some of the birds you might see are shown below. Click on the images to learn more about these special species. Each has a link at the end of some brief text to a more detailed account. Many thanks to Terry Oliver-Ward for providing these beautiful photographs Ngutu pare/Wrybill Kuaka/Bar-tailed Godwit Mātātā/Fernbird Kuriri/Pacific Golden Plover Kōtare/Sacred Kingfisher Pohowera/Banded Dotteral Taranui/Caspian Tern Tara/White-fronted Tern Tarāpuka/Black-billed Gull Tarāpunga/Red-billed Gull Karoro/Southern Black-backed Gull Kakīānau/Black Swan Tētē-moroiti/Grey Teal Kuruwhengi/Australasian Shoveler Rakiraki/Mallard Kuiki/Canada Goose Pūkeko/Australasian Swamp Hen Tūturiwhatu/Spur-winged Plover Warou/Welcome Swallow Kōtuku/White Heron Kōtuku ngutupapa/Royal Spoonbill Kawaupaka/Little Pied Shag Matuku hūrepo/Australasian Bittern Matuku moana/White-faced Heron Photo by Imogen Warren

Fauna and Flora The Manawatū Estuary offers important habitat for many different wildlife species, and has one of the highest bird diversities in New Zealand. In addition, it is home to a number of threatened fish and plant species. Click on the links below to learn more about some of the species you might see here. Birds Fish Plants Mammals Crusta cea Spiders Molluscs Beach Mysteries Beetles Fungi, Mosses and Lichens Other marine species Invertebrates Amphibians and Reptiles Ferns

Slender Clubrush Isolepis cernua Native. Not threatened. Routinely found in estuarine situations, this species is adaptable and can also be found in freshwater and brackish wetland environments with little or no saline component. This wee rush appears to be fruiting much of the year, losing the head only for the winter. It can be found on both sides of the river of the Ramsar site. In the Dune Garden, this species appeared around 2020, and spread widely across the wetland area within two years and is now an abundant species. Very widespread on a global scale being found throughout Australasia, Europe, Africa and North and South America. NZPCN-Isolepis cernua iNaturalist-Isolepis cernua

Spiders It is not known how many species of spiders are found in Aotearoa New Zealand but is thought to be around 2000 with the likelihood of numerous others still awaiting discovery. The dunes and estuary at Foxton Beach are not a particularly strong area for spiders as it is a specialised habitat and only has a handful of native species that favour this harsh environment, sheltering and hunting amongst the plants and driftwood. Unfortunately, a number of the species found here are not native and several are known to predate the endangered Katipō. The township of Foxton Beach is likely to have numerous other species not yet recorded from the district. A checklist of species 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 follows a recognised international format and may not follow any that are used 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 web. Katipō Seashore Wolf Spider Nursery Web Spider