Grovetown Lagoon

Last Modified: 21-2-2019 1:37

Grovetown Lagoon is an oxbow lake formed when the meandering Wairau River broke through a narrow peninsula during a flood in 1861 and left a loop separated from the main river channel.

The Grovetown Lagoon provides an important environment for freshwater fish, waterfowl, and is one of the few remaining wetland habitats on the Wairau Plain. The land enclosed by the lagoon contains an Urupa (Maori burial ground) used by local iwi.

The area has been severely degraded over time however has ecological significance and is of cultural importance to local iwi. A working group to improve the environmental qualities of Grovetown Lagoon was established  in 2002 as a partnership between local iwi groups, Fish and Game, Marlborough District Council, Department of Conservation and NZ Landcare Trust as well as the local Grovetown community.

Extensive volunteer efforts have involved native tree planting, poisoning of weed species and walkway construction.

On Sunday 29 June 2014 a walking track along the southern side of the lagoon was officially opened by Marlborough mayor Alistair Sowman. Long terms plans are to extend the track around the lagoon.

External Links:

• Grovetown Lagoon (Official Site)
• Grovetown Lagoon Restoraation Project (Marlborough District Council)
• Lagoon society gets a $10,000 bite of funds (Marlborough Express 18-06-2012)

Web Links

• Grovetown Lagoon

Cite this page

Grovetown Lagoon. (2019) Retrieved April, 23, 2024, from https://www.marlboroughonline.co.nz/marlborough/information/geography/lakes/grovetown-lagoon/