25 Aug 2020

A total of 10,000 hectares of wetlands and open water, known as Wairarapa Moana, have become the seventh wetland area in New Zealand to receive international RAMSAR recognition.

South Wairarapa Mayor Alex Beijen congratulates the iwi, councils, community and conservation groups who have given their time and passion to the project.

"The Wairarapa Moana Wetlands project is the epitome of groups working in partnership to achieve great outcomes for our community and environment.

"This significant recognition will help attract new visitors to the area, and future funding to support continued conservation efforts. This includes reversing some of the damage done in the past, to what is a beautiful, and culturally and environmentally important place – a real treasure," says Mr Beijen.

Wairarapa Moana is managed collaboratively by the Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Group made up of representatives from Rangitane o Wairarapa, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, hapu, Greater Wellington Regional Council, South Wairarapa District Council, and the Department of Conservation.

Groups driving conservation work at Wairarapa Moana include hapu and whanau, Ducks Unlimited, Forest and Bird, Fish and Game, South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group, and Friends of Onoke Spit, among others.

The RAMSAR achievement was marked with a small event on Friday last week, attended by Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and groups and individuals involved in the project.

For more information about the Wairarapa Moana Wetlands, visit this new website waiwetlands.org.nz , which brings together a wealth of information and celebrates the area.

ENDS