901-903 State Highway 2, Pakipaki-Havelock North, Hastings
First a dumping ground for the trash of Hastings, now a special place loved by locals and visitors alike, this new Regional Park is formed from nearly 100 ha of palustrine wetland. A remnant of a former extensive wetland system, the area has waahi tapu status under the Historic Places Act 1993.
Hawkes Bay Regional Council have progressively purchased relevant blocks until they gained ownership of this entire area and with the Department of Conservation have cleaned it up in line with it’s status.
Such was the previous disrespect for the wetland that the remains of two old hotels from Hastings were found during the clean up. A decision was made to leave some of the rubbish formerly dumped here as an education in the poor decision making that had allowed the wetland to degenerate.
Now that natural ecosystem is rebalancing, plant life is returning and birdwatchers can be rewarded here with sightings of NZ Dabchick, Little Black Shag, Little Shag, White Faced Heron, Australasian Bittern, Mute Swan, Grey Teal, Marsh Crake, Spotless Crake, Pied Stilt, Shining Cuckoo, Morepork, Kingfisher, Welcome Swallow, North Island fantail, Silvereye, Black Shag and Australian Harrier.
This is an easy place to access, being on the side of SH2, not far from Hastings, but visitors need to plan a little on account of the lack of toilets.
There are new amenities like boardwalks and picnic tables.
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