Mangarakau Wetland
With so much mature bush nearby, theforest birds are gradually moving back in.
Location
Our first South Island Reserve, Mangarakau wetland is located south of Farewell Spit. From Collingwood head towards the Spit then turn left onto the coast road that leads around the Whanganui Inlet. The wetland is immediately to the south of the inlet and drains into it as well as into the Patarau River further south.
History
A long history of human habitation predates Abel Tasman, whose log records at Mangarakau the first European sighting of New Zealand's earliest settlers. On 17th December 1642 "in the morning at the rising of the sun [we] were about 1 mile off the land, saw in various places smoke rise where fire was made by the inhabitants." Since then there has been a sequence of extraction industries which have successively utilised a natural resource until there was no more. Gold, coal, timber, fishing and flax have all been thriving industries in the last 100 years. There was a large community of sawmillers in Mangarakau and a village that boasted many more facilities than exist today. Farming is now the main land use but fishing and tourism are seen as the best long term prospects for the area.
Vegetation
The wetland covers about 350 hectares, of which half is owned by DoC. The Trust is buying the bulk of the three properties that make up the balance. Within this area there are three dominant vegetation patterns. The Gleichenia fern/manuka scrublands are on the drier soils, while the wetter areas are covered in rush and reed communities of Typha (Raupo) and Baumea . Within these areas there are some small lakes where the endangered Myriophyllum robustum continues to survive. The reedlands also have a some rare plants including the pink Ladies' Tresses Orchid Spiranthes sinensis. There are some areas of planted exotic Pinus and Acacia which we hope to fell as time allows.
The mature forest which once covered the wetland was Kahikatea and Pukatea dominant with a wide array of understorey species. Only a remnant now remains along the western edge, and we will extend it by planting in the future.
Wildlife
Birds that favour open shrubland are common such as the pipit, Australasian harrier, welcome swallow, paradise shelduck, whitehead and silvereye. With so much mature forest nearby, the forest birds are gradually moving in - the tui, bellbird, kereru, grey warbler and cuckoo.
Special Values
The wetland is strategically located in the centre of a range of reserves. To the west the towering limestone bluffs are the dominant feature and most of the escarpment is secured as DoC's scenic reserves. To the east the Kahurangi National Park extends into the Southern Alps and creates the backdrop and catchment for the wetland. Originally the waters drained through the wetland then south to the Patarau River. Early settlers attempted to drain the northern area by creating drainage ditches flowing into the Whanganui Inlet, but this proved largely unsuccessful and it has always been too wet for pasture.
Facilities
The old community hall is all that remains from the forestry/farming days. The many sawmills and everything else has been demolished or burnt. Today a modern house has been built on a central high point overlooking the wetland, and the old hall will provide good accommodation for recreational visitors or tree planters. The farm and forestry roads have formed the basis for an excellent network of tracks through the reserve. Be warned the wet road is often impassable after heavy rain.
For more detailed information about the use of the house please click here.
Management
The reserve is fortunate to have virtually no terribly noxious or invasive weeds other than gorse. While always unpleasant, gorse can be a useful nurse crop for developing forests. However it is undoubtedly a nuisance where open wetland is desirable. Vigilance is required to prevent seeds coming in on spades, boots and road maintenance equipment.
Animal pests are numerous - hares, rabbits, possums, goats, pigs, rodents and mustelids. Magpies are increasing and have been spotted harassing native birds.
Tree planting and active restoration has been using local seed grown off site and transplanted.
How to Get There
Follow the main highway from Nelson through Motueka and over the Takaka Hill. Passing through Takaka continue on past Collingwood to Pakawau. Before you get to the Farewell Spit/Puponga Farm junction take the left road that leads west then south following around the eastern shore of Whanganui Inlet. Where the road leads around the southern end of the inlet the wetland is to your left, although mostly hidden by Manuka scrub and some exotic plantations. As you turn south again the wetland is visible to your left and the Trust house and hall are just opposite the old school.
