Tāmaki Ecological District Wetlands

Size: 46 hectares

Area description

The Tāmaki Ecological District Wetlands biodiversity focus area includes over 20 mostly small but important wetlands scattered throughout the Tāmaki Ecological District.

An ecological district is a local part of New Zealand where the geology, topography, climate, plants and animals interrelate to produce a characteristic landscape and range of ecosystems.

The Tāmaki Ecological District includes the low-lying hills, pumice and other volcanic deposits of the North Shore, the Auckland isthmus as far south as Wiri on the edge of the Manukau Harbour and across to Cockle Bay on the Waitematā Harbour.

Some of the reserves the wetlands in this biodiversity focus area are in include:

  • Waiatarua Reserve
  • Onepoto Domain
  • Chelsea Estate Heritage Park
  • Anns Creek Reserve
  • Coatesville Scenic Reserve
  • Waikumete Cemetery.
Wetland at Waiatarua Reserve.
The extensive wetland at Waiatarua Reserve in Meadowbank. Rangitoto can be seen in the distance.

Wetland ecosystems

The wetlands in this biodiversity focus area include examples of:

  • raupō reedland (WL19)
  • Machaerina sedgeland (WL11)
  • flaxland (WL18)
  • gumland (WL1.2).

The Auckland Protection Strategy, produced by the Department of Conservation in 2009, states that the original ecosystems found in the Tāmaki Ecological District included a network of freshwater wetlands and lakes formed by the blockage of drainage patterns by volcanic activity.

The report estimates that only one percent of the historic extent of freshwater wetlands remain in the Tāmaki Ecological District. The wetlands within this biodiversity focus area are therefore of high biodiversity value.

Onepoto Domain.
Onepoto Domain, Northcote, sits in one of Auckland's many explosion craters. The wetland can be seen between the recreation park and craters eastern rim.

Waiatarua Reserve

One of the larger wetlands in this biodiversity focus area is within Waiatarua Reserve. The wetland was originally a tributary of the Tāmaki River which was sealed off by a lava flow from the Maungarei / Mount Wellington eruption, resulting in the formation of a lake with swamp surrounding its margins.

In the late 1880s (and later), attempts to drain the lake and remove the swamp to establish parkland were not completely successful. In 1987, restoration plantings began for stormwater management and to create habitat for birds.

The wetland now provides habitat for many native birds including:

  • mallard ducks
  • pāpango (New Zealand scaup)
  • kuruwhengi (Australasian shoveler)
  • tētē moroiti (grey teal)
  • poaka (pied stilt)
  • matuku (white-faced heron)
  • shag species
  • kahu (harrier)
  • pūkeko.

The network of wetlands within this biodiversity focus area provides important habitat for native wetland birds including resident species and those moving across the landscape.

Related resources

Wetland ecosystem

Mānuka, gumland grass tree – Machaerina scrub and sedgeland ecosystem (WL1)

Gumlands, a wetland / shrubland ecosystem, occurs on low-fertility soils in low lying areas. Many threatened flora and fauna are present including orchids, sundews and lizards.

Threat status
Critically endangered

Wetland ecosystem

Machaerina sedgeland ecosystem (WL11)

This critically endangered ecosystem occurs on the edges of lakes and shallow basins. It often occurs in a mosaic of wetland habitats including raupō reedland. Many native fauna species live here.

Threat status
Critically endangered

Wetland ecosystem

Raupō reedland ecosystem (WL19)

Raupō swamps are found in a wide range of areas on mineral soils and fluctuating water tables. They are dominated by raupō and other rushes and grasses, which provide a home for wetland birds.

Threat status
Endangered