Estuaries

Taranaki’s coastal environment is known for its surf, rocky reefs, and sandy beaches. It is also home to a number of tidal river estuaries, which although small compared to many others in New Zealand, provide a vital habitat for fish, birds, and invertebrates. These estuaries hold significant cultural importance for iwi and hapū, and they are valued for recreation such as swimming, kayaking, and whitebaiting.

Taranaki Regional Council monitors six estuaries to assess and track their health. Monitoring shows that sedimentation is affecting some of the larger estuaries, while under certain conditions excess nutrients impact several of the smaller ones.