Okarito Lagoon

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Okarito Lagoon is a coastal lagoon on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is located 130 kilometres south of Hokitika, and covers an area of about 12 km², making it the largest unmodified wetland in New Zealand.

Several small rivers drain into the lagoon, and it is the outflow of Lake Mapourika. The lagoon is home of many species of wading birds, notably the extremely rare Kotuku (White Heron), which in New Zealand is extinct in all other areas.^[1]^[2]

At the southern end of the lagoon is the small settlement of Okarito. Originally a gold mining township of over 1,500 people, it is now permanent home to only about 30 residents - among them Booker Prize-winning writer Keri Hulme, landscape photographer Andris Apse.

Bird watching, eco-tours and kayak tours of the lagoon are available, and there are a number of local hikes.

The rarest species of kiwi, the Rowi is also found near the town of Okarito.