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The
Baithouse
West view of the Baithouse, the current home of the
Island Bay Marine Education Centre.
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OneWorldOneOcean
Holiday Programmes School Programmes EMR Programme
OurOceansClassroom
Taputeranga Marine Reserve
We welcome any donations to assist the Marine Education Centre in its endeavours
Donations can be posted to:
Marine Education Centre
P.O. Box 20-001, Wellington South info@octopus.org.nz
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Taputeranga Marine Reserve |
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- The Island Bay Marine Education Centre is situated almost centre of the new Taputeranga Marine Reserve, providing excellent live exhibits and displays of the local marine environment.
- The 854 hectare Taputeranga Marine Reserve was created in August 2008 off Wellington's south coast. Its location on the doorstep of New Zealand's capital city provides easy access to study, interact with and record marine life and habitats.
- Location
Taputeranga Marine Reserve is located on the Wellington south coast, approximately 6 km from the city centre.
Taputeranga Marine Reserve is located 6 kilometres from Wellington city centre on Wellington's south coast.
Its shoreline boundary winds approximately 5km, from the old quarry west of Owhiro Bay in the west, to just west of Te Raekaihau Point in the east, taking in Owhiro, Island and Houghton Bays. The outer boundary of the reserve is 2.3km out to sea.
The reserve lies in the confluence of three oceanic water bodies and currents, which bring together a unique and richly varied mixture of warm, cold, temperate, and subantarctic fauna and flora.
The northern and southern limits of many fish, invertebrates and algal species occur within the reserve. The complex topography of the coast and high energy of the coastal waters has created a wide variety of habitats within a relatively small area.
Wellington's south coast has long been the focus of marine research. The close proximity of the reserve to New Zealand's capital city and the Victoria University of Wellington Coastal Marine Laboratory gives it the potential to become one of the most valuable natural laboratories in New Zealand.
Activities - Taputeranga Marine Reserve offers the chance to experience one of New Zealand's most dynamic coastal environments. The changing moods of Wellington's climate are starkly illustrated on Wellington's south coast, making it popular with photographers and variety of outdoor enthusiasts. One day it can be as calm as a mirror, and perfect for sea kayaking, snorkelling and diving. A southerly storm the next day can whip up waves several metres high, luring surfers out en masse.
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Beneath the water - Divers and snorkellers can explore offshore reefs extending out into Cook Strait,supporting a variety of habitats for fish, invertebrates and algae. Over 180 fish species, including blue cod, variable triple fin and banded wrasse, are recorded from the south coast. The calmer waters encourage forests of kelp, amongst which New Zealand’s only seahorse species finds shelter. Octopus, rock lobsters, crabs, anemones and the sea hare, which feed on seaweed, are among other species that you may see.
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Diving the wreck of the F69 Wellington frigate
Divers can also explore the wreck of the F69 Wellington frigate dive site, which was scuttled on 13 November 2005 east of Taputeranga Island. It is now in three sections providing two separate dives. There are providers of dive equipment and services in close proximity to the reserve. see www.divewreck.co.nz for more info....
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Above the water - Some of the wildlife is visible above water. Many different types of bird, including the Australasian gannet, whitefronted tern, little blue penguin and gulls depend on the sea for food. From a boat or sea kayak you might even spot a passing albatross or Arctic skua.
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Southern right whale, Wellington's south coast
The threatened variable oystercatcher and reef heron are often seen feeding around the shoreline. Several species of shags (especially little shag), reef heron and roosting gulls and terns are also among the birds you'll spot around the shore. Marine mammals also visit the area - common dolphins are regularly observed and occasionally whales. To the west of the reserve, at Sinclair Head, New Zealand fur seals can be seen lazing on the rocks.
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Rock pools - The beaches and rocky shores are best explored at low tide. In and around rockpools you can find plants and animals dependent on the rise and fall of the tide. These include crabs, snails, anemones, starfish and seaweed. Remember, if you look under the rocks, turn them back the way you found them.
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Education - It's easy to see why this a has been a focus for marine study for the past three decades. Victoria University of Wellington's Coastal Ecology Lab is located here, as is the Island Bay Marine Education Centre, which offers hands-on activities, and live displays to encourage a better understanding and appreciation of the south coast. The Island Bay Marine Education Centre also offers the Experiencing Marine Reserves Programme for schools ....click here for more details
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