Wetlands by region

Start your discovery of wetlands with this brochure, highlighting 40 of New Zealand's best wetlands you can visit.

Discover Northland's wetlands, including Aupōuri Peninsula wetlands, Muriwhenua wetlands, and Whangārei Harbour.

With over 800 kilometres of coastline, Kaipara Harbour is New Zealand's largest enclosed harbour and estuarine system with a high diversity of habitats including freshwater swamps, saline wetlands, coastal scrub and forests.

Three of only six wetlands in New Zealand recognised as being internationally important are in the Waikato: Firth of Thames, Whangamarino and Kopuatai Peat Dome.

Learn about conservation efforts to protect and restore the Bay of Plenty region's wetlands.

Find out more about wetlands in the Taranaki region.

Learn about wetlands in the Manawatu/Whanganui region including Pukepuke Lagoon, Manawatu Estuary and Lake Waiwiri at Papaitonga Scenic Reserve.

Find out more about wetlands in the Hawke's Bay region.

Find out more about wetlands in the Wairarapa region.

There are a number of ecologically-important fresh and saltwater wetlands in the Wellington region, many of which can be visited by the public.

Wetlands are extensive and diverse on the Chatham Islands, where around 8.5% of New Zealand's threatened freshwater fish are found.

Find out more about wetlands in the Nelson/Tasman region.

The West Coast features a number of wetlands, including Karamea/Otumahana Estuary, Totara Lagoon, Lake Ianthe, Okarito Lagoon, Hapuka Estuary, Shearer Swamp and more.

Find out about wetlands in Canterbury, including braided rivers.

Lake Waipori, Lake Waihola and their associated wetlands provide some of the most significant waterfowl habitat in Otago.

Visit Rakatu Wetlands near Manapouri.

Find out more about wetlands in the Southland region.