The Manawatū River

23/03/2026

You may have noticed some works happening down by the river at Ahimate Reserve lately 🚧

This is part of the ongoing work from Horizons Regional Council.

A number of older trees are being removed to help improve flood flow through the Manawatū River. Over time, these trees have trapped debris and silt during floods, creating small banks right at the river’s edge. They’ve also grown too large to be layered like younger trees, and with the recent high winds, falling limbs have become a safety risk for the public 🌳

While it’s always a big decision to remove established trees, this area is ready for a refresh. It looks a little bare at the moment, and the plan is for the site to be replanted with native species 🌱 🌳

Thank you for your understanding as the works are done to keep the river healthy, safe, and thriving for everyone who enjoys it. 💚

And if you do come across any works happening around the river, please remember keep your distance 🙏

01/02/2026

The Manawatū River Estuary, at the mouth of the Manawatū River near Foxton, is the largest estuary in the lower North Island, and is one of Aotearoa’s seven Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention 💙

Happy World Wetlands Day! 🌏

This year’s theme is Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage.

Wetlands include swamps, bogs, estuaries, salt marshes, lakes, ponds, lagoons, and the margins of rivers and streams. These rich ecosystems support plants and animals uniquely adapted to wet conditions 🌱

Often called the “kidneys of the earth,” wetlands naturally absorb, filter, and dilute materials that would otherwise harm our waterways. Yet despite their importance, only around 3% of our region’s original wetlands remain.

Restoring and protecting these habitats is vital, not just for biodiversity, but for preserving the cultural knowledge and practices connected to them. When we restore wetlands, we restore stories, traditions, and connections to place 💚

Learn more about head to https://bit.ly/4a3zYVz

📷 Te Waho o te Kurī (Ferry Reserve) on the eastern side of Te Āpiti – Manawatū Gorge is home to a small wetland.

23/12/2025

Meri Kirihimete! 🎄

Please note that our social media channels will be on pause until 7 January 2026, except in the case of an emergency event.

We hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy the beauty our region has to offer and have a safe and happy festive season 🎄 🎁

18/09/2025

This one is close to our hearts - vote for the kuaka 💙

Next up for 2025 is the kuaka.

Each year, the kuaka makes one of the longest nonstop migrations on earth, flying thousands of kilometres from Alaska to Aotearoa 🌏 🛬

Each year between September through to March, you can spot these incredible manu along the Manawatū Estuary.

Let’s give the kuaka the recognition they deserve and vote for this voyager for 2025 😍

➡️ Voting closes 5pm Sunday 28 September https://bit.ly/31VMkek

Photo- Craig McKenzie

14/09/2025

Hey bird lovers get your votes in for Bird of the Year 2025, entries close 5pm Sunday 28 September 😍

Voting is now open for 2025 🌏

Let’s vote for some of the amazing manu found in our region

First up is one of our larger birds the mighty kererū, with its iridescent plumage and unmistakable whoosh as it glides through the canopy 🪽 🌳

The kererū is a vital seed disperser in our native forests 🌱

You’ll find these charismatic manu in the bush around Te Āpiti Manawatū Gorge, Tōtara Reserve, the Tararua and Ruahine ranges, and even in urban gardens across the rohe.

Big, beautiful, and occasionally clumsy vote for the kererū

➡️ Voting closes 5pm Sunday 28 September https://bit.ly/31VMkek

04/09/2025

It's that time of year again to welcome migratory birds back to the Manawatū Estuary 😍

See below for full details 👇

Members of the Manawatu Estuary Trust, extend a welcome to everyone to our Manawatu Estuary, at Foxton Beach on Saturday 27th September 2025 at 12.30pm to welcome our migratory birds back to the Manawatū Estuary.

We will be meeting at 12.30pm at high tide, by the viewing platform at the end of Dawick Street (off Seabury Avenue), Foxton Beach.

16/07/2025

Applications for Horizons Regional Council Freshwater Community Grant are now open.

🎉 REGIONAL FRESHWATER GRANT NOW OPEN FOR PROJECTS

Applications for our Regional Freshwater Community Grant are now open.

This fund is available to community group projects which encourage innovative community engagement with freshwater, enhance the state of the freshwater or provide education around our precious freshwater resource.

Applications are open till Friday 29 August 2025 at 4pm, community groups will be able to apply for these grants via the application form on our website 👇

➡️ To check your projects' eligibility for funding and to apply, visit our website here
https://bit.ly/3BpPeuV

26/05/2025

If you've noticed work happening near the river lately, it's part of the ongoing work from Horizons Regional Council, who look after the willow trees along the banks. They have been working in both Palmerston North on Massey side of the river and down in Moutoa 🚧

Willow trees play a crucial role in stabilising riverbanks, but if they grow too large, they can become vulnerable in storms and floods, potentially causing erosion. That’s why every three to five years, they are mulched and layered to keep the banks strong and protected.

For trees higher up, an excavator trims the top without disturbing the vital root system. Within months, they regenerate and soon become bushy again. And for those trees closer to the water, trunks are carefully snapped and laid over—this encourages new roots to form along the tree, strengthening the bank and preventing erosion 🌳

If you do come across work happening please keep your distance 🚧

21/04/2025

Looking for a fun way to beat boredom these school holidays?

Nature scavenger hunts are a fantastic way to transform a simple walk into an adventure with your whānau 🌳 🍄

➡️ Check out Kids Greening Taupō, they have a great selection of nature scavenger hunts that are perfect for explorers of all ages - https://bit.ly/3zHYLuX

17/04/2025

Ngā mihi o te Aranga/Happy Easter to you and your whānau 🐰

If the sun makes an appearance, why not take the opportunity to explore the Manawatū River Shared Pathway?

Perfect for a leisurely walk or a bike ride, it's a great way to soak up the beauty of our region ☀️ 🚲

We hope you and your whānau enjoy a safe, warm, and happy long weekend 😍

09/04/2025

If you've visited the Manawatū Estuary recently, you might have been lucky enough to spot the elegant royal spoonbill, also known as kōtuku ngutupapa 🤍

These large, white birds are easily recognised by their distinctive black, spoon-shaped bills.

Last week, nearly 70 of these magnificent creatures were spotted in the estuary, check out this amazing shot 😍

📸 Dave Coles

31/03/2025

Applications for Horizons Kanorau Koiora Taketake - Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant and the Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi - Community Climate Response Fund are now open till Friday 2 May 🌏

These funds are for community group projects which foster development in indigenous biodiversity and support mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) or those which build resilience to climate change effects in our region

➡️ To check your projects' eligibility for a grant and to apply, visit our website
http://bit.ly/3T8dg5N