The Rakatu Wetlands is a 270 ha

wetland A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is flooded or saturated by water, either permanently (for years or decades) or seasonally (for weeks or months). Flooding results in oxygen-free (anoxic) processes prevailing, especially in the soils. The ...

restoration project on the

South Island The South Island, also officially named , is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand in surface area, the other being the smaller but more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman ...

of New Zealand. They officially opened on 18 March 2006. It is administered by the Waiau Fisheries and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Trust. The Trust was set up in 1996 to address the environmental effects of the construction of the

Manapouri Power Station Manapōuri Power Station is an underground hydroelectric power station on the western arm of Lake Manapouri in Fiordland National Park, in the South Island of New Zealand. At 854 MW installed capacity (although limited to 800 MW due to ...

. Since much of the natural flow of the Waiau River was diverted through the power station and out to sea, the ecological characteristics of the river and the wetlands were changed due to lower river levels. The Trust has constructed walkways and interpretation panels at the wetland.

References

External links

Waiau Fisheries and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Trust
Wetlands of Southland, New Zealand Protected areas of Southland, New Zealand Protected areas established in 2006 Fiordland {{Southland-geo-stub

See also

References

External links