Tauparikākā Marine Reserve

Tauparikākā Marine Reserve is a

The reserve extends about 630 metres (2,070 ft) along the coastline from the Ship Creek Beach Walk north of Haast, and approximately 200 metres (660 ft)} out from the shoreline.[5] It adjoins the coastlines of Te Wahipounamu and Tauparikākā Mātaitai Reserve, and includes the Ship Creek tidal river mouth, lagoon and beach foreshore.^[6]

Tauparikākā includes natural examples of different habitat types: sandy beaches, the stream mouth of Ship Creek, and the shore habitats reaching out to a depth of about 5 metres (16 ft).

While the area is known as Tauparikākā in Māori, it gained the European name Ship Creek after fragments of the ship Schomberg were found at the creek between 1871 and 1875.^[2]

The marine reserve was established on 7 September 2014.^[5] It was created for educational rather than conservationist reasons, as a way for people to have easy viewing access to Hector’s dolphins.^[8]

Recreation

The marine reserve is accessible via a carpark and walkway on

Tauparikākā and Ship Creek is the starting point for walks around the nearby dune lake and swamp forest.[9]

A range of activities are banned in the marine reserve, including fishing, taking or killing marine life, and moving or removing any marine life or materials. People must not feed fish as it disturbs their natural behaviour, and they must take care when anchoring to avoid damaging the sea floor.^[1]

Quad bikes and horses are allowed within the reserve, provided there is minimal disturbance to the site. Small stones, shells, driftwood, sand and gravel can be collected by hand. Pounamu can also be collected by Ngāi Tahu.^[1]

See also

• Marine reserves of New Zealand

References