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Managing our Environment

Lake Hayes Margins

Description:

Southern and western margin of a shallow, lowland, glacial lake near Queenstown. 1

Type/Class:

Not identified

Size:

16.9 ha.

Altitude:

320 - 360 m above sea level.

Approximate location:

Northeast of the intersection of Strains Road and Lake Hayes-Arrow Junction Highway, Lake Hayes.
NZTM (centre point): E1268820 N5009370.

Regional Plan

Water for Otago.
Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.75, Map F7.

Territorial Authority:

Queenstown Lakes District Council.

 

Lake Hayes Margins

Recorded Values:

Value

Description

A1

 Habitat for nationally or internationally rare or threatened species or communities. Habitat for threatened native fish species the Koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis) and for threatened swamp birds Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) and Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus australis). 1, 14

A7

 High diversity of indigenous wetland flora and fauna. High species diversity. The lake supports a number of endemic bird species and is of special value as a breeding area for a variety of waterfowl, including Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata), Grey Duck (Anas superciliosa), the New Zealand shoveller/Kuruwhengi (Anas rhynchotis variegata), the Marsh Crake (Porzana pusilla affinis) and the Australian Coot (Fulica atra australis). 1, 14

A2 - A6, A8, A9

 No relevant information is currently held by the ORC.

 

Other Information:

Aerial View of Lake Hayes Margins (February 2006)

Aerial View of Lake Hayes Margins (February 2006)

Lake Hayes Margins (February 2007)

Lake Hayes Margins (February 2007) 51

Lake Hayes Margins (February 2007)

Lake Hayes Margins (February 2007) 51

  • Covered in part by a Recreation Reserve and Wildlife Management Reserve (53.68 ha), administered by the Department of Conservation. The lake and its shores have the status of Wildlife Refuge. 1

  • Other waterfowl species found include White-faced Heron (Ardea novaehollandiae novaehollandiae), White Heron (Egretta alba modesta), Black Swan (Cygnus atratus), Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), New Zealand Scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae), Swamp hen/Pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus), Australian Coot (Fulica atra) and New Zealand Kingfisher (Halcyon sancta vagans). 14

  • The native wetland vegetation has mostly been replaced with exotic species. A raupo (Typha orientalis)- makura (Carex secta)-Salix sp. community at the south end of the lake is the most important for wildlife. 14

  • The lake is an important recreational fishery with brown trout (Salmo trutta) and European perch (Perca fluviatilis). Other native fish species found include the upland bully (Gobiomorphus breviceps) and shortfin eel (Anguilla australis). 14

  • Relatively large numbers of Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus australis, classified as nationally critical) present. 100

 

References:

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

14 Cromarty, P. and Scott, D.A. (eds.) (1995) A Directory of Wetlands in New Zealand. Published by the Department of Conservation, Wellington.

51 Otago Regional Council – Photo Archive.

100 Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Otago Branch (2009) George Chance Memorial Census of Great Crested Grebes in Central Otago, February 2009.

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