Description: The wetland at Tavora is a very small coastal lagoon, impounded behind a beach sand dune in association with the mouth of Tavora Stream. ¹⁰⁹

Type/Class: Saltmarsh on the margins of stream mouth lagoon. ¹⁰⁹

Size: 2.23 ha

Altitude: 0 - 20 m above sea level.

Approximate location: East Otago 60 km north of Dunedin and 10 km east of Palmerston. NZTM (centre point): E1424888 N4955633

Regional Plan:  Water for Otago | Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.173, Map F61

Territorial Authority: Waitaki District Council

Interactive map of Tavora Wetland

• The wetland is part of a 40ha coastal strip and riparian reserve owned and managed for conservation by the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust since 1993. 28 hectares are leased for grazing, while 12 hectares of the coastal strip and the riparian strip alongside Tavora Creek are managed for conservation. ¹⁰⁷
  
  
• The reserve was placed under a Department of Conservation covenant in 1996, and is advised by a committee comprised of the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, DoC, Kati Huirapa Runanga ki Puketeraki and a representative of the local community. ¹⁰⁷
  
  
• The reserve’s management’s objectives, contained in the Tavora Reserve Statement of Management Intent are to manage yellow-eyed penguin habitat, to foster the conservation of other species, and to provide a limited range of recreational opportunities for the public. ¹⁰⁷
  
  
• With regard to the vegetation management specifically, the 1996 plan had the following objective: “Re-establish and allow natural regeneration of coastal vegetation communities similar to that which previously existed in the area. These may include coastal forest, shrublands, wetlands, cliff and dune communities.” ¹⁰⁸
  
  
• At the time of the purchase, as for other beaches of the area, intensive farming practices had modified much of the native vegetation. A restoration programme is being carried out with the help of other organizations (DoC, Malcam Conservation Corps, Kiwi Conservation Club) and individual volunteers. ¹⁰⁶
  
  
• Restoration of the wetland’s values includes stock proof fencing and revegetation work on the wetland’s margins.
  
  
• Native plant species observed in the wetland area include glasswort, bachelors’ button, Leptinella Diocia, three cornered sedge and some shrubs (saltmarsh ribbonwood). Flax, manuka and ngaio have been planted. ¹⁰⁶
  
  
• Riparian planting undertaken along the stream has improved water quality. Planting included flax, pittosporum sp, cabbage tree and Hall’s totara. ¹⁰⁶
  
  
• Native eels, galaxiids, grey herons, spotted shags, and paradise ducks have been observed in the wetland area. ¹⁰⁶
  
  
• The area is open to the public, and walking tracks with informative signage have been developed.

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.

¹⁰⁶ Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust. Tavora Reserve Guided Walk. Retrieved from the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust website. http://yellow-eyedpenguin.org.nz/our-work/habitats/tavora/.

¹⁰⁷ Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust.(2009) Fact Sheet - Tavora.

¹⁰⁸ Correspondence with David McFarlane – Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust. (2012) Document ID A480575.

¹⁰⁹ Pers comm. John Barkla.(2012) Document ID A480573.