Wild wonderful coastal wetlands

There are a number of wetlands such as estuaries, lagoons and hapua dotted the length of the Canterbury coastline…however, these wetlands are but a fraction the size and number of what used to be present. In the past, wetlands have often been regarded as damp, smelly, buggy places of unproductive land. Overtime, many wetlands have been drained for farmland and housing developments…but things are changing.

More recently, people are starting to recognize wetlands as the special and complex ecosystems they really are. These damp places are ecological treasures, packed with biodiversity and the important, functional role of purifying water and helping to reduce flooding.

Check out the new interactive coastal wetlands feature and find out about Canterbury’s unique coastal wetlands, the animals and plants that make wetlands their home, and how wetlands purify water and help reduce flooding.

Dramatic Dynamic Dunes!

Although modified, Canterbury's foredunes are still in place, but in many areas the back dunes have almost gone... developed for housing and farmland.

Take our dynamic dunes virtual tour, featuring Pegasus Bay, and find out why Dunes are ecological treasures, packed with biodiversity and life.  Discover why it is important that you help protect these fragile ecosystems...