Clutha Gold Trail Restoration & Conservation | Trail Hub Otago

Restoring Native Habitats on the Clutha Gold Trail

words and images by Geoff Marks, with special thanks to Te Nukuroa o Matamata for their support and input

An exciting project on the Clutha Gold Trail extension called Te Nukuroa o Matamata has the vision of restoring flourishing and connected ecosystems in the Waihora / Waihola and Waipōuri wetlands to support healthy native biodiversity, mahinga kai, and thriving communities.

Clutha Gold Trail

A brand new 63km extension to the Clutha Gold Trail from Lawrence to Waihola opened in August 2023. This new section of cycle trail will be an integral part of a network which will ultimately connect Queenstown all the way to Dunedin.

One of the highlights for walkers or cyclists riding this new section of the Clutha Gold Trail - and one of most challenging to build - is an extensive boardwalk around the spectacular wetlands of Lake Waihola, 15km north of Milton on the East Coast of the South Island.

Lake Waihola is a 9km² freshwater lake and the largest of two lakes in the area, the other being Lake Waipōuri. Both lakes are very shallow and surrounded by wetlands, including the protected Sinclair Wetlands Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau - which is nationally and internationally recognised as a critical refuge for many threatened and endangered species of plant, fish and bird.

The new boardwalk section of the Clutha Gold Trail around Lake Waihola, near Milton.

In local Māori tradition, this area was utilised by Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe and Kāi Tahu over many generations as a significant mahinga kai resource (food gathering place) and is identified as being of utmost cultural importance to local hapū (communities) today.

The name Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau means ‘the dwelling place of Tukiauau’, an early Ngāti Mamoe chief. The wetland area is now managed by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and is considered a wāhi taonga (culturally significant site) for food gathering, and for conservation, recreation, and education.

An exciting project called Te Nukuroa o Matamata has the vision of restoring flourishing and connected ecosystems in the Waihora/Waihola and Waipōuri wetlands that supports healthy native biodiversity, mahinga kai, and thriving communities. They are working collaboratively with landowners to restore the health of streams, wetlands, and forest remnants within the lower Taiari. The project is being led by Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou, and as you ride on the boardwalk surrounding Lake Waihola the huge number of native trees and shrubs planted by Te Nukuroa o Matamata is evident.

This riparian planting aims to reverse the negative effects of modern land use which have degraded water quality but also to control the incursion of introduced species which have contributed to biodiversity loss in the wetlands. It’s hoped that this work will improve water quality through the restoration of native vegetation to foster a healthy habitat as well as reduce introduced invasive weeds and animal pests such as rats, stoats, and possums.

Additionally, the project has created training and jobs for a team of people that are focused on biodiversity enhancement and is helping empower kaitiakitaka (guardianship and protection) by reconnecting people to traditional waterways and resources and is creating exciting opportunities for the future.

Te Nukuroa o Matamata staff members planting native trees.

The riparian plantings will help restore native biodiversity.

The boardwalk section around Lake Waihola is a highlight of the Clutha Gold Trail extension.

If you have ridden on the Clutha Gold Trail near Waihola and seen the extensive riparian plantings and would like to support this essential mahi (work), you can donate to Trees That Count by clicking the button below.

Thank you!

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