Improved info for wetlands visitors

VARIED: The new entrance sign showing the long-fin eel at Lake Onoke. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

New entrance signs have been installed at seven locations around Wairarapa Moana to highlight key species particularly relevant to each site.

The signs feature some of the birds and plants of the lake, estuary and wetlands of the Wairarapa Moana complex.

Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Governance Group chairwoman Fran Wilde said the installation of the new signs was the first step in a series of developments to improve the visitor experience.

"Wairarapa Moana is a wetland treasure that we want more people to visit and appreciate but without good signs and other facilities this is difficult to achieve," she said.

"We have a 10-year plan of improvements aimed at enhancing the recreational and educational experience of visitors to the wetlands and, in particular, to help connect visitors to the lake shore and biodiversity-rich wetland areas."

Ms Wilde said the next major step was to provide relevant information by way of interpretation facilities at each of the key visitor sites.

"By telling the historical, cultural and ecological stories of Wairarapa Moana, we can open up a whole new world of understanding to the visitor and add value to their experience".

The Wairarapa Moana Wetlands project is a long-term collaboration with South Wairarapa District Council, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitane o Wairarapa and Papawai and Kohunui marae, Department of Conservation and Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Other improvements under way this year are a new entranceway and carpark at Lake Domain, enhancement of walking opportunities at Wairio Wetlands and a new visitor brochure.

Toilets, picnic facilities, shelters, plantings and other enhancements will be installed in coming years.

The locations of the new signs are Lake Onoke, Onoke Spit, Pounui Wetland, Wairarapa Lakeshore Scenic Reserve, Boggy Pond, Wairio Wetland and Lake Domain.