The Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Project is a collaboration between Greater Wellington Regional Council, the Department of Conservation, South Wairarapa District Council, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, and Rangitāne o Wairarapa.  

The Wairarapa Moana area includes Lakes Wairarapa and Ōnoke, their neighbouring wetlands, Lake Domain, the Wairarapa Lake Shore Scenic Reserve and Ōnoke Spit. 

Lake Wairarapa is a shallow lake covering 78 square kilometres. It is the third largest lake in the North Island of New Zealand.

Since 2008, the Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Project has been striving to restore our wetlands.

Together with the local community, we work to enhance the native ecology, the recreational and cultural values of the moana.

The Project began as a way for the partner organisations to pool resources and expertise. This project demonstrates how much we achieve by working together.

Project governance is provided by the Wairarapa Moana Governance Group. 

At the heart of our partnership is a mutual desire to Restore our wetland treasure; Whakaora te repo ka ora te taonga wai­. Our vision for the future is that:

  • Wairarapa Moana is valued as a place of cultural and historical significance that inspires our future.

  • Healthy water in Wairarapa Moana nurtures all native plants, animals and their ecosystems.

  • Wairarapa Moana underpins environmental, customary, recreational and commercial values that benefit the wider community.

Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Wairarapa have been negotiating with the New Zealand Government (the Crown) about historical breaches to the Treaty of Waitangi. Some of the outcomes of these negotiations will involve Wairarapa Moana.

The bed of Lake Wairarapa will be returned to Ngāti Kahungunu and Rangitāne, and much of the public reserve land around Wairarapa Moana will be returned to Ngāti Kahungunu such as Pounui Lagoon, Lake Domain and Wairarapa Lake Shore Reserve.

A Statutory Board will be established for Wairarapa Moana. The Board will comprise:

  • Four members appointed by Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tamaki Nui a Rua Settlement Trust (including two members representing Kohunui and Pāpāwai Marae),

  • One member appointed by Rangitāne Tū Mai Ra Trust

  • Two members appointed by the Minister of Conservation

  • Two members appointed by Greater Wellington Regional Council

  • One member appointed by South Wairarapa District Council

The Board will play a role in managing not only the Lakes and reserves around them, but also in resource Management of the whole of the Ruamāhanga River Catchment. This is an exciting opportunity for mana whenua, local government and central government to work together, in a holistic way, and on a much more even footing to restore Wairarapa Moana.

Kōrero mai, we'd love to hear from you! Get in touch if you'd like more information about Wairarapa Moana, or if you have stories, photos or information about events to share.

Fill in the form below or email us directly at waiwetlands@gw.govt.nz

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Get in touch if you'd like more information about Wairarapa Moana, or if you have stories, photos or information about events to share!