There's plenty to see and do at the estuary.
The estuary walkway provides beautiful views, and there are signs along the way providing information about some of the birds you might see.
There is a lot of interesting wildlife at the estuary. As well as birds, the estuary is also home to some interesting plants and is an important habitat for native fish.
The Manawatū Estuary Trust enjoys giving people the opportunity to learn more about this amazing environ
Harakeke/New Zealand Flax Phormium tenax
Endemic. Not threatened.
Very much a dune wetland species, it is currently a small factor in the Dune Garden suite of plants but over time it may play a bigger role as one of the successor plants in the evolution of dune wetlands. On a broader note, it is an abundant species throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, associated with damp areas but is also commonly planted in gardens and is in abundance around Foxton.
Foxton has a rich history associated with this plant, from early times right through to the present, although not so much now but there is still a museum dedicated to the history of its uses, principally its fibre. There is not a website, but details can be found here and also a brief history within this site.
Flowers grow on spikes and as they age, seeds pods develop with 2024 being a mast year with most flowering at the same time and producing abundant seed.