Southland Ecological Restoration Network

Southland Ecological Restoration Network

A Network of Southland Community Conservation Projects

  • Home
  • Project Directory
  • Organisations
  • Events
  • News
  • About
  • Links
  • Contact

Project

June • Rakatu Wetlands

Big Lagoon

Location:
232 Rouse Rd, RD 3, Riverton 9883
Region:
Invercargill
District:
SDC
Commenced:
2004
Access:
N/a
Area (ha):
32

Description

Big Lagoon over a period of some 40 years, had been drained and ditched to a hectare size to provide incresed pasturing for sheep, cattle and domestic deer. It had historically been the second largest fresh water lagoon on the Southern Coastal Plain. Extensive restoration work was undertaken by Tony Reiger and the Southland Wetland Trust, with Big Lagoon again becoming a major wetland site.

Historic involvement

Tony Reiger and the Southland Wetland Trust, QEII National Trust, Southland Fish & Game, Biodiversity Southland. Active restoration work ceased when the property was sold in 2013.

Current involvement

No longer active

The late Tony Reiger stands near to the recreated Big Lagoon.
Big Lagoon March 2008.
Big Lagoon March 2008.
Big Lagoon March 2008.
Pete McClelland, Tony Reiger and Brian Rance at Big Lagoon.
Big Lagoon March 2008.
Project Directory

Other projects in Invercargill

  • Anderson Park, Invercargill
  • Bluff Hill / Motopohue Environmental Restoration Project
  • Bowmans Bush, Otatara
  • Bushy Point Gambles, Otatara
  • Bushy Point OLG Restoration Project, Otatara
  • Bushy Point, Rances, Otatara
  • Invercargill Estuary Walkway
  • Kerr Bush, Myross Bush
  • Kew Bush, Invercargill
  • Kingswood Bush Weedbusters
  • Omaui Reserve Restoration Project
  • Oreti Totara Dune Forest
  • Otatara Scenic Reserve
  • Phillips St Reserve, Invercargill
  • Sandy Point Domain, Invercargill
  • Southland Community Nursery
  • Thomsons Bush, Invercargill
  • Waihopai Dam Wetlands, Invercargill

© 2025 • Website by RS

Our Supporters

Invercargill City Council Environment Southland Department of Conservation Forest and Bird Southland Community Nursery
  • Home
  • Project Directory
  • Organisations
  • Events
  • News
  • About
  • Links
  • Contact