The National Wetland Trust is a non-profit organisation established in 1999 to increase the appreciation of wetlands and their values by all New Zealanders. Our first major task is to build a wetland interpretation centre for people to learn more about wetlands and experience their special qualities. We are developing plans to build the centre atLakeSerpentine, between Hamilton and Te Awamutu.
Other Trust aims are to:
Increase public knowledge and appreciation of wetland values
Increase understanding of wetland functions and processes
Ensure landowners and government agencies commit to wetland protection, enhancement and restoration
The trust has twelve elected and two co-opted trustees representing, iwi, landowners, tourism and farming industries, local government authorities, Fish and Game Councils, the Department of Conservation, NGOs, Crown Research Institutes, and universities. The Trust patron is internationally renowned biologist and TV celebrity Ruud Kleinpaste. An Executive Officer manages the Trust.
A 50 km wetland driving trail starts atLakeKopuera, passesLakeWaikareand circles Whangamarino wetland (one of our Ramsar sites). The guide "Whangamarino Wetland and Lake Waikare." can be downloaded from the NWT website (Visiting Wetlands page) or picked up from local visitor centres. The guide describes the history, fauna and flora of the wetland andLakeWaikare. Information boards have been erected at Te Kauwhata and theLakeWaikareoutlet.
