WET is a community organisation dedicated to the improvement of the health and biodiversity of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and its catchment.
Lake is currently CLOSED to the Sea Latest lake level reading:
0.62m recorded on 16th December, 2024 READ MORE >>
Latest News
From the Chair
This is very much a different piece than I would have anticipated penning a month ago. As we reflect on things, based as we currently are within our personal bubbles, positivity is important, well-being is [...]
What’s the story of the Australasian Bittern at Te Waihora
The Waihora Ellesmere Trust held it's 2019 AGM on the 16th of September. The Trust was very privileged to have Allanah Purdie Biodiversity Ranger from the Department of Conservation talking about the Australasian Bittern - [...]
Two Lakes Healing
Friday 4th, 4.00pm - Saturday 5th, 4pm October 2019. A 50km round trip from Wairewa Marae, Little River and back exploring the environmental restoration activities underway for Lake Wairewa, Birdlings Flat and Kaituna Lagoon. OPTIONS: [...]
2019 Annual General Meeting
The Waihora Ellesmere Trust is holding their 2024 Annual General Meeting on the 16th of September 2024. The AGM will be held a the Lincoln Events Centre, Meijer Drive, Lincoln Formalities will start at 7. [...]
Predator Trapping at Yarrs Flat
The Waihora Ellesmere Trust is working with the Department of Conservation to initiate a trapping program at Yarrs Flat Wildlife reserve. Trapping will target rats, stoats and possums; all introduced pests that impact on our [...]
Predator Free Workshop
The Waihora Ellesmere Trust and the Department of Conservation are hosting a Predator Free Trapping Workshop. Come and hear from a number of speakers and talk to the experts regarding trapping mammalian predators. There will [...]
2024 Living Lake Symposium
The ninth Living Lake Symposium is to be held on Saturday 9th November, 2024. This years symposium will consist of a field trip to Tārerekautuku/ Yarrs Lagoon Springston South. A afternoon session will consist of a number of presentations at the Springston South Soldiers Memorial Hall on Day’s Road. Food and drink will be provided. .
As the field trip is very close to the Springston South Soldiers Memorial Hall we request that participants car pool to the access point on Goodricks Road. Please assemble at the hall at 10.00a.m.
Lunch will be served after the visit to Tārerekautuku Yarrs Lagoon at the Hall followed by the afternoon presentations.
For registration please email manager@wet.org.nz or lynetteharris@xtra.co.nz
2022 Living Lake Symposium
The eighth Living Lake Symposium is to be held on Saturday 29th October, 2022. This years symposium will consist of a field trip to Kaitorete Spit and Ahuriri Wetland. A afternoon session will consist of a number of presentations at the Waihora Clay Target Club. Food and drink will be provided. Click here for more information and registration details.
2019 Living Lake Symposium
The seventh Living Lake Symposium is to held on Saturday 9th November, 2019. This years symposium is going to be slightly different than past years as it will be held over one day. The 2019 Symposium will consist of a field trip to various locations around the lake in the morning. Lunch is to be held at the Soldiers Memorial hall on Harts Road and will be catered by the Ellesmere College PTA. Following lunch there will be a trip to the Te Repo Orariki wetland at Taumutu to look at the restoration of this wetland. We will then return to the Hall for a number of presentations then time for discussions about what has been seen and heard through the day. Click here for more information and registration details.
2017 Living Lake Symposium
The sixth Living Lake Symposium was held on November 9th and 10th, 2017. The weather turned on a lovely sunny day for the field trip which took us up the catchment to Whitecliffs and then back to Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere. We visited points of interest and some of the practical projects and research that is currently happening in the catchment.
A great range of speakers presented at the Symposium day covering a range of topics from mudfish to measuring contaminants from cow pat runoff! Read more and see the presentations here.
A very interesting and informative two days were had. A great thanks to our generous sponsors whom make the event possible.
WET Featured Articles
Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere State of the Lake 2017
A new report, released in November 2017, gives an overview of the health of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and changes over the last two years since the previous report. Two new sections are included this year: In lake nutrient processing; how phosphorus and nitrogen entering the lake is processed, and City to lake links; the connection between Christchurch City Council and Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere.
Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere: State of the Lake 2015
A new report, released in November 2015, gives an overview of the health of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and changes over the last two years since the previous report. Topics covered include governance and management, land and water, flora and fauna, economy, recreation and cultural health.
Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere: State of the Lake 2013
A report, released in early November 2013, brings together information about the state of the land, water, wildlife, recreation, cultural health and more to create a snapshot of the state of the lake.
Sustainable Drains – an important focus for the trust
The land surrounding Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere has many natural springs and streams, modified waterways and constructed drainage channels. These combine to form a complex interconnected network and ultimately flow into Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere.
Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere
Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere, one of New Zealand’s most important wetland systems, is a brackish, shallow lagoon with an average depth of 1.4m. Covering around 20,000 hectares, Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere, which lies just to the south of Banks Peninsula, is New Zealand’s fifth largest lake and is internationally significant for its wildlife abundance and diversity. The total number of bird species recorded at the lake is 167, with at least 37 species breeding. 43 species of fish have been recorded in the lake.
Acknowledging the past and looking to the future, we:
Enhancing understanding, awareness and the value of the Lake through education programmes, newsletters, and field days.
Promoting better management practices through public seminars and by partnering with private landowners, community groups and government agencies.
Providing opportunities and encouragement for people to get actively involved in projects to rehabilitate the ecosystem through riparian and wetland enhancement.