New Zealand Celery Apium prostratum var.filiforme Native. Not threatened. A delicate variant of the more common Sea Celery and as the name implies it is edible, but you’d need a fair amount to make an impression in a meal. It is one of the few species that can live in the lower story of the dense jungle Oioi creates in estuaries, which is mostly where you’ll find it in the salt marsh areas of the estuary. A mainly prostrate, sprawling plant of coastal and lowland environments but occasionally montane regions. Common on rock ledges, boulder falls, cliff faces, in peaty turf, salt-marshes, within estuaries, on mud banks, around brackish ponds, and lagoons. Also found in freshwater systems along streams and rivers and in wet hollows. iNaturalist-Apium prostratum filiforme NZPCN-Apium prostratum prostratum var filiforme

Pied pango/Variable Oystercatcher Haematopus unicolor Endemic. At risk-recovering. At the estuary it can be seen on the mudflats at low tide, usually near the tideline, and, at high tide, roosting on the sandspit visible from Dawick Street. It is very similar to the Pied Oystercatcher in looks and behaviour. but the plumage is variable and may be entirely black, pied or intermediate between the two. Pied forms can be distinguished from the Pied Oystercatcher by the smudged boundary between the black and white plumage on the breast and the lack of a white tab in front of the wing. nzbirdsonline-Variable Oystercatcher Tōrea/South Island Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus finschi Endemic. At risk-declining. The Pied Oystercatcher breeds in the South Island but winters throughout the country. At the estuary it can be seen on the mudflats at low tide, usually near the tide line, and roosting on the sandspit visible from Dawick Street at high tide. Can be the commoner of the two species. nzbirdsonline-South Island Pied Oystercatcher

Three-ribbed Arrow Grass Triglochin striata Native. Not threatened. This is another small pioneer species in dune wetlands and estuaries. In the saltmarsh areas of the Manawatū Estuary it seldom plays a big part, but its pioneering role is more obvious in the Dune Garden. In other areas such as the large dune wetland area at the south end of the Ohau Estuary, there are large and dense patches of this species. Although native to Aotearoa New Zealand it is widespread across the world being recorded from Australia, North and South America, Africa and southern Portugal . The tiny white flower of this species are very fragile and borne on spike-like structures which reach up to 200 mm tall. They are known to fruit profusely. NZPCN-Triglochin striata iN aturalist-Triglochin striata

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

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

Kawaupaka/Little Pied Shag Microcarbo melanoleucos Native. Relict (much reduced but stable population) This is the most common of the five species of cormorants recorded in the Estuary and is most frequently seen perched on both man-made and natural structures. They will also rest on land, but this is not favoured as difficulty is experienced when taking off. Diet consists of fish, including tuna (eels) and crustacea but will also consume frogs and invertebrates in brackish water. They hunt by diving and can stay submerged for up to twenty seconds at a time often surfacing some distance away. At the onset of the breeding season both sexes develop a crest. Nests are built in tree-top colonies, usually over-hanging water and are bulky structures in which up to five eggs are laid. Also observed in the area is the Māpunga/Great Cormorant:(Phalacrocorax carbo ) which is a much large, all black bird. This is a cosmopolitan species that occurs in many parts of the world. nzbirdsonline-Little Shag

Kōwhangatara/Spinifex Spinifex sericeus Native. Not threatened. As the key species of grass that underpins the dune ecosystems of much of Aotearoa New Zealand, this species is the pre-eminent builder of dunes. The rolling female seed heads are familiar to beach-goers all over the country in summer. The orange male seed head is distinctively different to the female, making determination of gender of the plants simple in summer. Studies have shown that fertility increases if a male plant is in close proximity to a group of females but even then fertility is only around 45% making determination of the viability of seed a problem for growers wanting to assist in restoration projects. Over the past few years Horowhenua District Council have held planting sessions, having planted over 10,000 Kōwhangatara, and recently Wildlife Foxton Trust have grown, with funding from Horizons Regional Council, nearly 3000 plants which were planted in 2023. Similiar numbers were planted in both 2024 and 2025. These sessions will continue so please check Events to see if any are planned for the near future. Although Kōwhangatara is primarily a dry dune species, it is very much a part of the dune wetland ecosystem in the Dune Garden. NZPCN-Spinifex sericeus iNaturalist-Spinifex sericeus coastalrestorationtrust-Spinifex ecology

Sand Wind Grass Lachnagrostis billardierei Native. Not threatened. Like Tātaraheke/Sand Coprosma, this is mainly considered a dry dune species, but in the Dune Garden is found widely in the ephemeral dune wetland areas too. Common throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, it is also present in Australia. It grows as a tufted grass up to around 50 cm tall, mainly on sand but also occurs in other well-draining habitats such as cobble and rocky beaches, occasionally found inland. Flowers from August through to February and fruits from December to June with the spectacular purple heads of the summer being larger and more common on the dry dune plants but is still a distinguishing feature for this species in the dune wetland locations. NZPCN-Wind Sand Grass iNaturalist-Sand Wind Grass

Invertebrates This is a very diverse group of animals which, because there are only a small number of species in each group, they are lumped together in this section. The checklist is divided up as such so please click on each tab on the spreadsheet to see species. Groups which have an abundance of species, such as beetles and spiders are given their own page. A checklist of species recorded from the area is included here . Because groups and families in this section contain only a few examples of each, they don't warrant their own separate page, so they are each given a tab within the spreadsheet. Please click on each to access the data. 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 available. Web address links are edited to fit in the static species columns. List can be downloaded, and additions added for personal use can be "save as". These will not be saved to the web. Mata/Seashore Earwig Anasolabris littorea Native. Not assessed. This is a medium-sized earwig at around 35 mm when adult. Females will lay a batch of eggs, which she will protect and clean regularly. Hatchlings are replicas of the adults in miniature and go through a number of moults, usually 4-6 before becoming adults. On maturity the terminal forceps of the abdomen determine an individual's sex - they are curved in males while those of females are straight. Found around plants and debris the flattened body allows them to squeeze into tight places. General colouration is brown, with recently moulted young being whitish for a short time. Legs are yellowish-buff. This is a carnivorous species feeding on small insects. Wikipedia-Seashore Earwig Kēkerengū/Large Black Cockroach Maoriblatta novaeseelandiae Endemic. Not threatened. It differing from many other native species of Cockroaches found in Aotearoa New Zealand in it being black in colouration and at 25-29 mm is the largest found here. In our area this species is to be found in the dunes but has been recorded up to 600 m above sea level in other areas. It appears to have a mainly North Island distribution but has been recorded in several locations on the South Island. Its preferred habitat is hiding behind bark or beneath stone, logs and debris and, being nocturnal, is rarely seen during the day. If it senses that this disturbance is a threat, they will exude a musky smelling yellow liquid which is offensive to predators. Diet consists of mainly of decaying plant matter. iNaturalist-Large Black Kekerengu Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus Native. Not assessed. The Monarch Butterfly is a familiar species to many as it is an easy species to identify, being the largest species of butterfly in Aotearoa New Zealand and, bright orange in colour. Their familiarity hides the fact that this is one of the truly amazing species capable of staggering migrations. The one in the Americas is well known but from this population some individuals made their way across the Pacific to settle here. Once a common species, its numbers are much reduced here but in America it is now classed as vulnerable having been reduced in numbers. They are the recipient of much interest during the summer months when people plant Swan plants, their favoured caterpillar food plant. sciencelearn-monarch butterflies

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

Tītiko/Mudflat Snail Amphibola crenata Endemic. Not threatened. If you look over the estuary as the tide recedes, what appears to be numerous bumps are in fact this species of snail. Not only here but it is a very common species on most estuary mudflats around Aotearoa New Zealand but is found nowhere else in the world. It is neither a true marine or land snail and is able to survive briefly at high tide for an hour or so and then begins to breath air again as the tide falls back. They feed by grazing the surface for decomposing matter and waste is secreted in wavy strands, clearly visible in the picture opposite. Large specimens are sometimes eaten. Wikipedia-Mudflat Snail saltmarsh snail Saltmarsh Snail Pleuroloba costellaris Endemic. Not assessed. This is a very small species of snail measuring no more than 14 mm when adult. Consequently, it is easily overlooked as it is found mainly in vegetation bordering marshy areas, frequently on small bits of driftwood. Although endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand it is restricted mainly to the North Island with only a few scattered records from the north of the South Island, although because of its diminutive size may be easily overlooked and may have a wider distribution. It is a fairly abundant species in suitable habitats around the estuary which mainly border the muddier areas such as out from the pines on Pinewood Road. In some literature it is referred to as Banded Ear Snail. marinelife.ac.nz-Banded Ear Snail Toheroa Phapies ventricosa Endemic. Not assessed. With adults growing up to 130 mm, this is the largest of the molluscs and one that is an important part of the diet for Māori. Unfortunately, because of commercial over-harvesting and an almost catastrophic collapse in populations there has been a ban, other than for cultural purposes, since 1979. A history of its decline is given in the link below. Regrettably, the populations have not recovered, and a number of reasons are thought to have contributed to this such as illegal poaching, vehicles on beaches and degraded habitat and is now believed extinct in the Foxton Beach area. Attempts at reintroducing them was only partially successful with numbers decreasing again for the reasons given above. This is a species under threat and even though a ban has been in place it is not included on the New Zealand Threat Classification System. New Zealand Geographic-The Elusive Toheroa Toheroa Photo Lindsay Alexander iNaturalist Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013. Prohibition on taking, possessing, or disturbing toheroa

Warou/Welcome swallow Hirundo neoxena Native. Not threatened. A rare vagrant until the early 1960's, this now familiar species is self-introduced, originating from Australia and is now classed as native. They are a common sight around the area and are frequently seen around the estuary, either singly, in loose groups or en masse. A large gathering, usually on power lines tend to indicate some movement in or out of the area, usually during autumn or spring. Swallows forage aerially for small flying insects swooping low over water or land. They drink by scooping fresh water from the surface of lakes or ponds. Nests are built of mud and are usually attached to a vertical surface. Three to five eggs are laid and hatch after fifteen days. Chicks leave the nest at around eighteen days. nzbirdsonline-W elcome Swallow