Arawai Kākāriki is leading the ecological restoration of five significant wetland sites in New Zealand.
Arawai Kākāriki, translated as “green waterways”, is DOC’s flagship wetland conservation and science programme. It was launched in 2007 to provide leadership in freshwater research and restoration at nationally important sites.
Arawai Kākāriki covers a diverse range of wetland, lake, estuary and river ecosystems from Northland to Southland, across five of New Zealand’s most outstanding wetland systems.
Wetlands once covered 2.4 million hectares of New Zealand but over 90% of these have been drained or cleared. The remaining wetlands and their connecting lakes and rivers are under threat from land use changes, climate change and pest flora and fauna.
DOC is working with scientists, iwi, other partners and the community to learn about and restore the health of these vital natural environments. Research, collaboration and public involvement are intrinsic elements of Arawai Kākāriki.