Our Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon Catchment
Our lagoon needs help. Let's make a plan.
Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon is a special place for wildlife and mahika kai food gathering, but now it's in decline and the habitat for plants and animals has degraded.
Department of Conservation, Environment Canterbury, Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua and Timaru District Council have joined together to make a plan to restore the health of the lagoon and its wider catchment – and we want your help to make sure we get it right.
Why a plan is needed
Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon is a significant wildlife sanctuary and a special place for mana whenua, local people and visitors from all around the country.
It was once an abundant mahika kai food gathering hub for local mana whenua and visiting iwi from all over the South Island Te Waipounamu. Tuna (eel), kanakana (lamprey) and all sorts of fish and shellfish were plentiful.
In recent decades however, the lagoon has shrunk and its health and the habitat of the wildlife is declining. Coastal flooding and erosion, and the impacts of climate change, are a risk to the lagoon and to property, farmland and industry in the wider catchment area.
Improving the mauri (life force) of the lagoon will take cooperation across many agencies, organisations, groups and stakeholders. That's why we want the whole community to get involved in creating a strategy to plan for the future of this special place.
How to get involved
To get involved, sign up for future updates (click 'Stay Informed') as we develop Our Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon Catchment strategy.
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Learning, recreation and access
Recreational uses of the catchment are varied and include walking, beach access, fishing, bird-watching, and educational visits. The basalt reef can be explored at low tide.
The lagoon environment however is not well sign-posted or accessible, and clarity around appropriate uses of the space may be needed.
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How you can get involved
A key part of creating the strategy is gaining important knowledge and input from the community.
We want to hear your experiences of Washdyke Waitarakao Lagoon Catchment – past and present – and understand what’s important to you for its future.
There are lots of ways you can get involved.
Join the e-newsletter
- Register (add you email address and create a password) and then click on ‘Stay Informed’ to receive updates through our e-newsletter
Request a meeting
- Call Environment Canterbury customer services on 0800 324 636 to give your details or email waitarakao@ecan.govt.nz and we’ll be in touch to set something up
Community workshops
- We are in the process of holding our community workshops to discuss more detailed ideas and options that could be part of the strategy.
We hope you’ll take part in creating the plan to restore Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon Catchment.
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Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon Catchment map
Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon Catchment
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Videos
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A summary of information, ideas and stories, shared by the community.
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Alice from Eco Centre talks us through their Waitarakao display
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Keely guided us through the recently showcased Waitarakao Lagoon exhibition
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FMG Young Farmer of the Year contestants help out at a planting day in the Waitarakao/Washdyke Catchment
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