Wairarapa Moana seeks international recognition for vital wetland

Friday, 5 June 2020

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage at Lake Wairarapa to celebrate its bid to become a wetland of international significance. (Video first published June 2020)

Conservationists are hoping international status will accelerate the restoration of Wairarapa's 10,000 hectares of wetland.

Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage celebrated World Environment Day on Friday by announcing the application for the Wairarapa Moana to be recognised under the global 'Ramsar Convention'.

'This international convention is important because it's a sign that it's a global toanga.'

Once the food basket of region, Lake Wairarapa and surrounding moana have suffered severe degradation over the decades.

Sage said with its complex ecosystem home to indigenous fish, birds and unique native plants it acted as kidneys in the landscape by cleaning water.

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Ra Smith of NgÄti Kahungunu Ki Wairarapa on the shores of Lake Wairarapa.

'The basis to a healthy society and environment is papatuanuku being restored to health.'

Ra Smith, of Ngāti Kahungunu Ki Wairarapa, said it was a long process getting to the point where they could send their application off to Ramsar in Geneva and with the backing of the Government it was more likely to succeed.

He said by getting the area noticed globally it might help it get more attention nationally.

'International recognition is nothing to be sniffed at.'

New Zealand has already lost 90 percent of its wetlands and many of those remaining are threatened.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources, aiming to help protect these valuable ecosystems.

Recognition under Ramsar meant New Zealand was obligated to protect, manage and monitor the wetland and report back to the convention.

Smith said there were reservations from some iwi leaders about the convention restricting what could be done with the area, but Smith argued it would 'lock them into looking after the health of the lake'.

'I dream of the day there will be busloads coming to enjoy the area and helping us come together as a people.'

The theme for this year’s World Environment Day was celebrating biodiversity and Sage said it was fitting to examine the valuable role wetlands play in improving freshwater quality.

“The nomination of Wairarapa Moana also means a lot to local residents, both recreationally and for its important cultural heritage.

'It was once the food-basket for iwi and a great source of mana. Today it’s also a popular place for recreation,' Sage said.

The region takes its name from the wetlands, with 'Wairarapa’ translates as “glistening waters”.