National Wetland Trust New Zealand
Region
Oceania
Country
New Zealand
Flyway
East Asian - Australasian flyway
Initiative
WLI Oceania
A Star Wetland Centre!
Recognised in 2022 as a Star Wetland Visitor Centre. Find out more.
About
Rotopiko National Wetland Centre. We have a 10 hectare pest-proof sanctuary, free of introduced mammalian predators.
It includes a small 20,000 year old peat lake, a tall semi-swamp podocarp forest, areas of lake margin and open mown grassland. We have been re-vegetating this site after 100 years of grazing by farm animals and depredation by introduced plants and animals.
We have developed some visitor facilities, including walkways, signage, parking, toilets and shelters. We have installed some interpretation signs and an interactive discovery trail. Our aim is to raise funds to build a visitor centre with interactive indoor exhibits.
We are still developing the site. It is open to visitors but not fully promoted yet until we have a few more features in place.
Name of organisation: National Wetland Trust
Rotopiko National Wetland Centre
Funding support: Contestable funds
Number of staff: 1
Overall aims of the centre
Get people “into” wetlands, physically and mentally. To provide a safe and enjoyable wetland for people to visit and learn about wetlands from across New Zealand.
Description of the centre
We have a 10 hectare pest-proof sanctuary, free of introduced mammalian predators. It includes a small 20,000 year old peat lake, a tall semi-swamp podocarp forest, areas of lake margin and open mown grassland. We have been re-vegetating this site after 100 years of grazing by farm animals and depredation by introduced plants and animals.
We have developed some visitor facilities, including walkways, signage, parking, toilets and shelters. We have installed some interpretation signs and an interactive discovery trail. Our aim is to raise funds to build a visitor centre with interactive indoor exhibits.
We are still developing the site. It is open to visitors but not fully promoted yet until we have a few more features in place.
Work Areas
Main CEPA work areas
We have installed a hands-on, interactive discovery trail. This is self-guided and outdoors. Families can find a themed activity station, read the stories and play a wetland game.
Top three successes
Public events that have been well publicised. We have had very good turnout. Working with local volunteers, as they are motivated to return frequently. Taking on international interns who have not only contributed enormous amounts of time and energy, but have brought us fresh ideas and perspectives and have taken our stories back to their home country, giving us global exposure.
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage; site information; Producing written materials; Developing nature trails.
Visitor centres
Setting up a new visitor centre; Managing / creating habitat.
Participation
Working with disabled people; Engaging hard-to-reach groups; Engaging young people; Engaging the local community; Working with volunteers
Education and communication
Early years education; Working with primary schools; Developing resources / materials.
General
Health and safety; Fund-raising.
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