Description:

Swamp forests within Tahakopa Bay Scenic Reserve, inland of Tahakopa Bay, between the lower Maclennan River and the coast. ¹

Type/Class:

Forest Swamp. ²

Size:

4.8 ha.

Altitude:

0 - 20 m above sea level.

Approximate location:

2 km Northeast of Papatowai.
NZTM (centre point): E1331400 N4838900.

Regional Plan:

Water for Otago.
Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.144, Map F50.

Territorial Authority:

Clutha District Council.

Other Information:

• Composition of shrubs, white pine/kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides), Coprosma sp. and Carex sp. ²
  
  
• Called Tahakopa Bay in the Clutha District Plan, where it is listed as a Significant Wetland. Described as shrub swamp, rush and sedge swamp, flax swamp and lowland lake, and as a nationally significant forest sequence from swamp to high podocarp (Podocarpus sp.) forest. ³⁷
  
  
• Middens from Moa camps are evident at Tahakopa Bay. ⁶⁴

References:

¹ Otago Regional Council (2004) Regional Plan: Water for Otago. Published by the Otago Regional Council, Dunedin.

² Ausseil, A.G., Newsome, P., Johnson, P. (2008) Wetland Mapping in the Otago Region. Landcare Research Contract Report prepared for the Otago Regional Council.

³⁷ Clutha District Council (1998) Clutha District Plan. Published by the Clutha District Council, Balclutha.

⁶⁴ Department of Conservation (2006) The Catlins – Nugget Point to Waipapa Point. Published by the Department of Conservation – Otago Conservancy, Christchurch.

⁹⁴ Department of Conservation – Photo Archive.

Aerial view of Tahakopa Bay Podocarp Swamp (March 2006)

Tahakopa Bay Podocarp Swamp (August 2006) ⁹⁴