This or ……
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The Waimea Inlet is of international importance for migratory bird species and is of national significance for other endangered or threatened species. These include birds such as kuaka/bar-tailed godwit, kōtuku/white heron, taranui/caspian and black-fronted terns, tōrea and tōrea pango/variable oystercatcher, matuku-hūrepo/Australasian bittern, moho-pererū/banded rail, and plants such as coastal peppercress and grey salt bush. The inlet is important to lifecycle stages of fish species, which are dependent on the continuity and sequence of habitats from the streams, through the inlet, and to Tasman Bay, being maintained.
The proposed Boat Ramp
There are three areas of concern for estuary wildlife with the construction of a boat ramp and building in the Māpua Waterfront Park.
1. Chemical contamination into the estuary from soil disturbance where a shallow layer of top soil covers toxic material left by the former Fruitgrowers’ Chemical Company.
2. Increased bird disturbance on the Inlet from more boats and jet skis using the boat ramp. Turbidity of mud from jet skis and power boats also affects fish habitat.
3. Loss of grassed open space in Kite Park, a well known site for roosting and feeding tōrea pango/variable oystercatchers and other waders.
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