Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora is New Zealand’s fifth largest lake. The 20,000 hectare brackish lake is shallow. Average depth is 1.4 metres with a maximum depth of 2.7 metres near Kaituna.
DOC looks after approximately 35 percent of the margin of Te Waihora, plus other lands in the wider catchment area, the largest of which is McQueen’s Lagoon on the Halswell River/Huritini.
Wildlife
Te Waihora is of outstanding national and international importance for wildlife. 166 species of birds have been recorded here, including 133 indigenous species - with up to 98,000 birds on the lake at one time.
There are number of wildlife reserves around the lake: Harts Creek, Selwyn, some of which are also refuges, offering greater protection.
The lake supports a diverse range of introduced and native fish including whitebait/īnanga and tūna/eel.
Cultural significance
Aerial view of Lake Ellesmere and
Kaitorete Spit
Te Waihora is an area of cultural, natural, historic, recreational and commercial importance to many people. To Ngāi Tahu, Te Waihora represents a major gathering place for food and natural materials and an important source of mana.
Kaitorete Spit
Kaitorete Spit is an impressive landform, about 28 km long. It was formed about 6000 years ago by gravels transported by the Rakaia River and pushed into place by the Pacific Ocean.
It’s the largest remaining area in New Zealand of native sand binder/pingao, a bright-orange plant prized for weaving. Kaitorete is also home to other threatened plants and animals, some of which are unique to this location, such as woolly head Crapspedia ‘Kaitorete’, and a flightless moth! It’s a fantastic place to spot katipo spiders and lizards too.
Source - DOC www - 2011
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