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Nelson Lakes
Around 15,000 years ago the last ice age was spreading its cooling touch over the world as we know it. In this neck of the woods massive glaciers ruled the South Island. They carved out steep sided valleys and in their retreat left behind a legacy of mountain lakes and moraine walls.
Today recreational users are discovering all the secrets that the Nelson Lakes region has to offer. The Majestic Mountains and wide valleys are ideal for beginner hikers or advanced Mountain climbers.
the rotoiti nature recovery project
In 2004 several pairs of the Great Spotted Kiwi were relocated from the Heaphy Track area and placed beside Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes region. This area is known as the Rotoiti Nature recovery project and compromises approximately 500 ha of native beech forest. What makes this Mainland Island so unique is that its entire boundary is unfenced. Through intensive trapping, pest and rodent control the Department of Conservation has managed to create a relatively secure stronghold for many rare or endangered bird species.
Thanks to the efforts of the Department of Conservation, the Kaka, the Great spotted Kiwi, and many other birds now have an increased chance of survival in this special area.
The success of the project's work is evident when walking through the beech forest. There is a resounding chorus of bellbirds, mistletoe is becoming more visible and small groups of kaka can be spotted.