Hawksbury Lagoon

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Hawksbury Lagoon
Hawksbury Lagoon.jpg
Hawksbury Lagoon, Waikouaiti
Hawksbury Lagoon
Interactive map of Hawksbury Lagoon
LocationWaikouaiti, East Otago, New Zealand
Nearest cityWaikouaiti
Area51 hectares (130 acres)
DesignationWildlife Refuge
Governing body Department of Conservation

Hawksbury Lagoon is situated within the East Otago town of Waikouaiti, on the northern boundary of Dunedin City, New Zealand. [1]

Contents

It is a designated Wildlife Refuge under the Reserves Act 1977, and is administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC). It is listed as an ‘Area of significance’ within the Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council Plans. It is 51 hectares (130 acres) in size, with a perimeter of 5 kilometres (3.1 mi). [2] It is regarded as being a regionally significant wetland. [1]

Description

Hawksbury Lagoon is described by the Otago Regional Council as "A shallow fresh-brackish water lagoon at the mouth of the river, adjacent to the town of Waikouaiti. There is little tidal influence within the lagoon, as a causeway along the channel entrance restricts the entry of seawater." [1] As at 2014 the lagoon was in a eutrophic state. [3]

Recreation

There is a 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) loop walk around the lagoon margins and across causeways. [4]

Conservation and management

Hawksbury Lagoon is administered by the Department of Conservation as a Wildlife Refuge. [1]

Community involvement is provided by the Friends of the Hawksbury Lagoon, a group of local residents formed following the closure of the earlier incorporated society, Hawksbury Lagoon Inc. The group aims to enhance, protect and conserve wildlife and plant habitats within and around the lagoon, and to encourage public interest and appreciation of the area. [5]

The lagoon is subject to management under multiple legislative frameworks, including the Wildlife Act 1953 and the Hawksbury Lagoon Refuge Order 1974. [6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Hawksbury Lagoon". www.orc.govt.nz. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  2. ↑ "Hawksbury Lagoon Wildlife Refuge, Waikouaiti, New Zealand" . Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  3. ↑ McKewen, Shirley (19 January 2014). "Turning of the tide". Otago Daily Times . Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  4. ↑ "Hawksbury lagoon and beach walk". Department of Conservation .
  5. ↑ "Hawksbury Lagoon Wildlife Refuge". hawksburylagoon.org.nz. Friends of the Hawksbury Lagoon. Archived from the original on 22 February 2025. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  6. ↑ "Hawksbury Lagoon Wildlife Refuge". hawksburylagoon.org.nz. Archived from the original on 22 February 2025. Retrieved 22 February 2025.

45°36′20″S170°40′25″E / 45.60556°S 170.67361°E / -45.60556; 170.67361

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