About estuaries

Estuaries are important

Estuaries provide habitat and feeding grounds and for many fish, birds, shellfish, mammals and other wildlife. Many are threatened species.

For example the fernbird/matata, white heron/kōtuku and inanga. Migratory birds, such as godwit, use estuaries to rest and find food during their journeys.

Estuaries are fundamental to many of our coastal fisheries as they provide important habitat for spawning and allow juveniles to grow. For example research has shown that the Kaipara Harbour estuary is where 90% of the North Island west coast snapper start their life. Many native fish, including eels and whitebait, require freshwater and saltwater during their lifecycles.

Migratory birds use estuaries to rest and find food during their journeys. A large variety of native birds, including waders and ducks, also call these places home.

Estuaries maintain water quality in the sea by filtering out sediment and nutrients. Microorganisms break down organic matter and sediments bind pollutants.

Threats to estuaries

Plants and animals living in estuaries have adapted to the dynamic environment but the pressures from land and sea are increasing.

Many of New Zealand's estuary edges have been filled in or drained for farms, factories or housing. Unless estuaries have space around them, as the sea level rises due to climate change, estuaries will also be squeezed into smaller areas and we will lose valuable habitats.

Activities in the surrounding catchments, such as land clearing for urban development and farming, have increased sedimentation. These activities expose the soil to rain and increase the amount of water and sediment going into rivers and streams.

Other changes in land use have also resulted in higher nutrient levels in some of our waterways. The extra sediment and nutrients end up in our estuaries and coasts. This can smother plants and animals living in estuaries. Extra sediment and nutrients make the water murky. This can be a problem for plants that need a lot of light such as seagrass, and for animals that need to 'breathe' the water. Extra nutrients can also cause algal blooms.

Weeds such as cordgrass are also smothering native plants and animals in some estuaries.

Estuaries are champions for our biggest global challenge - climate change. Habitats such as mangroves, saltmarsh and seagrass capture carbon 4- 10 times more carbon that forests so are a great option for us to reach our Zero Carbon target. In addition, these habitats protect our coastlines and infrastructure from storm surge which is becoming more of an issue due to sealevel rise.

Our work

DOC has an important national role with estuaries as the largest manager of estuarine reserve areas. We also provide leadership with the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement – the overarching document councils follow for coastal management. Effective planning processes are important to reduce the impact of construction, urban development and farming on estuaries and other coastal habitats.

We recognise the strong connection Māori have with freshwater and estuaries which are an integral to the concept of ki uta ki tai (from the mountains to the sea). Iwi and hapū are strong partners in the management of healthy estuaries and catchments all around the country. They bring knowledge to the table from generations of observation of the environmental change in their estuaries. This knowledge includes monitoring of resources, such as kaimoana, and from decisions about conservation measures such as rāhui.

DOC is working alongside councils (the main estuary management agencies), many iwi/hapū and whānau, community groups and individuals to protect and restore our estuaries. Some are planting along river banks to help reduce the sediment going into our waterways. Other groups are checking the health of their local streams, monitoring the health of cockles and restoring seagrass beds. There are numerous catchment wide processes around New Zealand where groups are working together to make a difference.

Monitoring estuaries

Much of the monitoring is related to detecting four key stresses and pressures: sedimentation, high nutrients, chemical contamination and habitat loss.

Many estuaries are monitored to identify whether the estuary is safe for recreational activities and the gathering of fish/shellfish.

Microbiological contamination is also monitored in many estuaries to identify whether the estuary is safe for recreational activities and the gathering of fish/shellfish.

View a map showing where estuaries are being monitored.

Restoring estuaries

Many of New Zealand's estuaries have been degraded through intensive land-use practices, land reclamation, pollution and alterations to natural flow and tidal regimes.

Restoration work throughout New Zealand is helping to restore estuaries to a healthy condition. Much restoration work is driven by iwi and local community groups concerned with the decline in the state of a local estuary, whether it is a decline in whitebait, birds or cockle abundance.

Estuarine restoration groups focus in two areas:

• groups working within the estuary and its margins 
• groups working in the catchments of the rivers and streams that flow into the estuary.

Both approaches are vital for restoring the ecology of estuaries.

View a map of where estuary restoration is happening.

Experiencing estuaries

There many educational resources, trails and walkways for estuaries around New Zealand.

View a map of places to experience and learn about estuaries.