Could these relatively unspoiled wetlands speak, what stories would they tell us standing here at Lake Kohangatera Lookout? Lake Kohangatera is one of two lakes in Fitzroy Bay. This bay sits east of Pencarrow Head. Look to the eastern side of Wellington Harbour.
Lake Kohangatera has an open water area of 17 hectares. Gollans Stream feeds the lake. The stream’s headwaters start on Mount Lowry, 14 km north. The drainage basin area is about 1,700 ha.
Its southern end comes close to the sea. Gravel and sand from old earthquake-raised beaches dam it. Lake Kohangatera is a protected wildlife reserve. DOC manages it. Fishing is not allowed here. It’s also part of the East Harbour Regional Park. Wellington Regional Council administers the park.
This lake has significant historical and biological value. A large colony of black shags lives on the northern edge of Lake Kohangatera. There’s much archaeological evidence of a Māori fishing village. It existed here in pre-European times.
Lake Kohangatera and Lake Kohangapiripiri are notable. They are New Zealand’s last remaining relatively unspoiled wetlands. This site supports locally rare native plants. It also supports fish and wetland birds. Spotless crake and the Australian bittern live here. Banded dotterel nest on the open sand.
The lake is still free of introduced brown trout. It’s also free of noxious water weed. Kokopu and longfinned eel live in the lake.
Settler burning and grazing severely denuded the surrounding hills’ native flora for 150 years. Since 2004, stock animals have been banned. The New Zealand Department of Conservation and the Greater Wellington Regional Council jointly manage the area. The natural vegetation has begun to recover.
Scientific data shows rainfall measurements for Lake Kohangatera. The data includes rainfall for the current month. It also shows rainfall for the last month and the last 12 months. Key figures include wettest month/year and driest month/year.
The TLI score for Lake Kohangatera is an indicator of lake health. It’s determined from water quality measurements. These measurements include chlorophyll a, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and water clarity. A higher score indicates poorer water quality.
LakeSPI status describes the ecological condition of Lake Kohangatera. It is based on plants present. A higher LakeSPI percentage means better ecological health. The LakeSPI score uses a Native Condition Index and an Invasive Impact Index.
Standing here at Lake Kohangatera Lookout, consider its past. Think of the Māori fisherman. Picture the black shags. Imagine the wetlands thriving. The lake’s resilience reminds us of nature’s power to recover. It also highlights our responsibility to protect it. Let’s appreciate this view and preserve it for future generations.