Lake Domain Reserve

Lake Domain foreshore

Lake Domain Reserve is, a popular recreational spot. Lake Wairarapa, the shoreline and adjacent wetlands provide habitat for native freshwater fish, waterfowl and wading birds.  South Wairarapa District Council have developed a landscape plan.  This provides for extra facilities to make visiting and camping a more enjoyable experience for members of the public.

Community restoration

Enhancing native plant life is a focus of restoration efforts to improve biodiversity of the area.  Community planting events at Lake Domain have been an annual event for several years.  These have been well supported by people of the local South Wairarapa community. 

School groups have also contributed to restoration efforts.  They have participated in planting days, and in the more recent Matariki Day. Participating schools include Featherston School, St Theresa’s School, South Featherston School, Greytown School, Martinborough School and St Matthews Collegiate.

The Greater Wellington Regional Council Catchment Management Group, and the Environmental Policy team have also held planting days at the site.

Volunteer planting 2013

Wildlife observations

Extending the buffer zone around Barton’s Lagoon should improve habitat for Australasian bittern and NZ scaup that use the lagoon area. Significant resources have gone into removing alder and willow from the wetland area because it was out-competing native plant species here.

Pied stilts, black shags and black-fronted dotterels are often seen on the lake edge.

People are encouraged to record their observations of bird and animal life of the Lake Domain area. Take photos and put them onto websites like NatureWatch NZ or New Zealand E bird. If you see lizards, check the guidelines on Nature Space.