He paid tribute to Contact Energy, Wairakei Environmental Mitigation Charitable Trust and the Waikato Catchment Ecological Enhancement Trust for their help in the restoration.
"But I'd like to also acknowledge the work of hunters _ for without them, and their efforts to preserve or enhance their hunting spots, New Zealand would have a lot fewer wetlands.
"Wildfowlers Association were among the first to push for this project. It should also have benefits for local iwi for harakeke [flax] and potentially tuna [eel] in the future.''
A 900m walking track to a viewing hide was also constructed and Mr Roderick said as timewent on, visitors would be able to enjoy the "tranquil'' setting while viewing more wildlife.
Contact chief executive Dennis Barnes said the company had gifted the land for the wetland development and funding for it was provided by the two trusts.