Lake Ohia, Te Hiku Community Hui & Habitat Assessments

The Love Bittern Project travels into every region of New Zealand empowering people to raise awareness for Bittern, help protect Bittern and to restore their wetland homes.

Check out our Spring 2025 road trip here!

9 August 2025

James and I travelled together to Lake Ohia in the Far North to hold a workshop supported by DOC Kaitaia for the Te Hiku Community.

We had 16 people attend the workshop representing DOC, iwi, community groups and landowners.

After the workshop we had a site visit beside the ' Coca-cola' Lakes ( Lake Rotopokaka ) and DOC told us about all of the work they were doing there to protect (remove pests, resuce disturbances) and monitor using acoustic recorders.

Matuku-hūrepo have been seen foraging in farm drains and wetlands in Te Hiku Community / the Karikari peninsula.

We visited several sites while there ..most public conservation land under management...and one on private land. 

The aim of the visit was to assess the habitat and make recommendations for improvement / to be more suitable for Matuku-hūrepo.

The habitat was amazing! Such a rare opportunity to a variety of wetlands and boglands with unique cultural and biodiversity values.

The private landowners are working incredibly hard to look after and improve biodiversity on farm.

After the assessment we weren't sure if the water would stay long enough to keep reed beds wet through the breeding season, what fish were there (and if they had everything they needed to be in abundance) and where the foraging opportunities were on farm with water levels fluctuating.

Here are our recommendations:

-retain water levels for 90 days between Sept-Dec in reed bed areas (to help breeding females nest and raise chicks). To do this it may mean trying to retain water into the summer (Dec, and if we could Jan)

-increase foraging access as part of drain maintenance regime so Bittern have ramped access into drains and can feed even when water levels fluctuate.

-get to know what native fish/eel species are present and make sure they have everything they need to be abundant=a sustainable food source for bittern.

Good on you Te Hiku for supporting the ABs!

Kawakawa Matuku-hūrepo Hui

The Love Bittern Project travels into every region of New Zealand empowering people to raise awareness for Bittern, help protect Bittern and to restore their wetland homes.

Check out our Spring 2025 road trip here!

4 August 2025

More than 50 people joined us at the Bay of Islands Railway station to learn more about Matuku-hūrepo - New Zealands Native Bittern and take a trip on the Bay of Islands Vintage Train through bittern habitat.

Photo Credits: Bay of Islands Vintage Railway

Local schools, youth programs, iwi, landowners and residents living in and around Kawakawa joined us as we walked through Bittern basics and how we can all help Bittern to thrive and not just survive.

The train, where Bittern are often seen along the way, was the perfect platform to view and discuss Habitat for Hurepo giving those who cared for the land there steps they could take to help save bittern from extinction.

Tangatapu Wetland - Habitat for Hurepo Assessment

The Love Bittern Project travels into every region of New Zealand empowering people to raise awareness for Bittern, help protect Bittern and to restore their wetland homes.

Check out our Spring 2025 road trip here!

3 August 2025

Tangatāpu Wetland, Rawhiti

I recently visited the Tangatāpu Wetland which has undergone an amazing transformation from a wet paddock with rank kikuyu to a thriving wetland. The challenges they face are in maintaining the wetland, protecting the investment they have made in plants (and planting) and dwindling volunteer support.

After initial ground work and successive plantings from 2013 changes outside of their control had meant water was reaching areas they didn't expect it too. The trees that were planted with relatively dry feet started to die as the water crept in. Work is underway to help correct this but has brought with it new challenges.

It's in a state of flux now, more planting is planned to backfill modified areas and shade the waterway again, deeper pools have been reformed and the trees have some relief. Bittern have been seen foraging here in the past. With some good management it will continue to be a good foraging site for Bittern.

Is your wetland wet enough - to provide 15-25cm of clear water for foraging?

In places, yes. Time will tell after the recent work just how the water will sit. The water is controlled/being held by weir boards to develop areas with different depths. The challenge here will be ensuring there is fish passage around these controls.

Do you have more than 25cm (ideally more than 60cm) of deeper water with emergent vegetation?

Not right now, the deeper pools used to have Kuta in them, it seemed to take over the small ponds. The target is to keep a balance, have enough open water and emergent vegetation to support a variety of habitats and species. This site is likely best suited for Bittern to use as a foraging territory bouncing out from bigger, more suitable breeding territories with emergent vegetation nearby.

Does the wetland stay wet for at least 90 days between September and March?

When we visited in July (winter) it was already looking markedly dry for a wetland. There will no doubt be areas that stay wet. Keeping these open and planted with low stature plants like carex, other sedges, reeds and rushes will be essential for fish habitat and foraging Bittern.

Does the water level have little or no extreme fluctuations?

The wetland was designed to slow down the water from the catchment, filter excess nutrients and trap sediment. Plants and deep water pools that help perform these functions also help regulate water level fluctuations.