Conservation
Resources and Threats

Aotea Harbour meets the 'Ramsar' criteria for 'wetlands of international importance'.

Aotea Harbour is of great cultural and historical significance to our people who come from the area.

Threats to the harbour include siltation (caused by erosion of catchments), pollution (eg sewerage, argricultural run-off of chemicals), overfishing and spread of weed species such as spartina.

The coast and dune system of the Aotea Sand Spit is rated as nationally important and is protected by reserve status.

A significant portion of the northern catchment of Aotea Harbour includes Maori and privately owned native forest. The forests on the Aotea Harbour catchment is especially important for protection of water quality in Aotea Harbour.

Threatened species in Aotea Harbour include:
• New Zealand Dotterel
  
• Caspian Tern
  
• Reef Heron
  
• Banded Dotterel
  
• Variable Oystercatcher
  
• Black Stilt
  
• Knot

New Zealand Dotterel photo by Geoff Moon.

Conservation Issues

• Presence of introduced animals, especially of goats and possums, which are threatening native ecosystems and species.
• Siltation and pollution entering the three harbours as a consequence of land management practices within their catchments.
• Deterioration of harbour wetland and aquatic habitats.
• Pressure on scenic and recreation areas as a result of proximity to urban Waikato.
• Deterioration/destruction of dune structures and habitats as a consequence of dune stabilisation plantation forestry and replacement of native vegetation by exotics.
• Commercial fishing in Aotea Harbour.
• Spread of weeds, especially spartina, in the harbour
  

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