Exploring the Wairau Lagoons
Located southwest of Te Koko-o-Kupe / Cloudy Bay, the Wairau Lagoons are a unique hiking experience through saltwater marshlands. The Wairau Lagoons Walkway takes you through a landscape dominated by red and orange grasswort, a low-growing succulent, and various grasses. This setting provides a distinct contrast to the typical New Zealand hiking trails.
Historical and Cultural Significance
The lagoons, situated east of the Wairau River mouth, include Big Lagoon, Upper Lagoon, Waikārapi Lagoon, and Chandlers Lagoon. Historically, the area was rich in kai moana (seafood) and birds, supporting Māori habitation from around 1300. As the population grew, Māori developed the lagoons further. By the early 1700s, they had dug approximately 18 km of canals to channel water and facilitate the farming of fish and waterfowl, long before European settlers arrived.
The Waverley Shipwreck
The track begins at the end of Hardings Road and crosses the marshland to the Waverley shipwreck, located on the edge of Te Aropipi. This channel connects the lagoons to the Wairau River mouth. The Waverley was sunk in 1928 as part of the breakwater development at the Wairau Bar, but was later moved to its current position by a flood. Nearby, you can also view the SS Kennedy wreck from the Wairau Bar.
After visiting the Waverley wreck, you can either return the same way or continue east around the channel and Upper Lagoon to complete a loop back to the car park. The full loop takes about 2 to 3 hours. Be cautious, as parts of the track can become very slippery in wet weather.
Getting to the Wairau Lagoons
To reach the Wairau Lagoons, drive east from Blenheim on State Highway 1 towards Kaikōura. After a few kilometres, turn onto Hardings Road and park at the end of the road. From here, you can begin your exploration of the lagoons.
Other nearby places to explore include the site of the Wairau Affray, Rārangi and Pukatea / Whites Bay
