Pekapeka Wetlands
State Highway 2
Pekapeka Wetlands
State Highway 2, Hastings District, Hawkes Bay
Pekapeka Wetland is a publicly accessible area alongside State Highway 2 south of Hastings
It covers 98 ha, mostly now owned by Hawke's Bay Regional Council but some portions on private land. It is a remnant of a former extensive wetland system covering the majority of the Pekapeka is one of the few remaining large, inland wetlands in Hawke’s Bay.
Pekapeka is the second highest ranking wetland in the Department of Conservation (Hawke's Bay) Heretaunga Ecological District. A restoration project since the 1990’s (led by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and with community support) aimed to improve the wetland’s capacity to regulate flood waters and increase the natural biodiversity. Some dead willow trunks are evidence of the huge clearance of willows that was needed to reopen the wetland.
A wide range of water fowl can be viewed including the elusive bittern (if you are lucky you may hear it before you see it!).
Visitors can follow the tracks and interpretation signs to learn about the history and ecological value of Pekapeka.
Access: By vehicle on SH2, parking area, boardwalks and easy walking tracks.
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