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
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 104 being observed in 2026 which occurred during bad weather in the North, the estuary being a sheltered area. 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.