The Waimea Inlet Management Strategy 2050 and Action Plan 2023 to 2026 aim to improve the health of the Inlet and people's enjoyment of this special place.
The Waimea/Waimeha Inlet encompasses the area inside a line connecting the Tasman Bay/Te Tai o Aorere shoreline of Māpua, Moturoa/Rabbit Island and Tāhunanui Beach.
Map of the Waimea/Waimeha Inlet (click here to view in a new window [PNG, 5.7 MB])
Waimea Inlet is a special place, a site of international and national importance for shorebirds and other waterbirds. It is home to a wide array of living organisms, some rare and threatened, others international migrants.
The Waimea Inlet Coordination Group (made up of representatives from a range of organisations and groups) was set up to promote the restoration and protection of this taonga.
In 2010, the initial Waimea Inlet Management Strategy was developed in collaboration with the communities of Tasman and Nelson and the many groups who have an interest in, and a commitment to, the Waimea Inlet and its sustainable future. The first Action Plan to implement this Strategy was created in 2018. Both documents were reviewed and combined into a single document in 2023:
Council formally endorsed the updated document on 24 August 2023.
The Strategy supports the vision and community outcome statements of Council's long term plans. It also guides decision-making across Council, influencing statutory resource management, provision of infrastructure, services and all areas of Council involvement.
The Action Plan sets objectives and actions for the next three years and beyond for Coordination Group member organisations, and any other organisations that will commit to implementing it.
We've accomplished a lot since we signed up to the initial Strategy in 2010. This document outlines what we have done so far.
Updates on progress with implementing the Waimea Inlet Action Plan are provided annually.
Over the past few years, member organisations of the Waimea Inlet Coordination Group have received funding from central government for restoration projects totalling more than $3m.
The Department of Conservation website includes information about restoration of the Waimea Inlet:
The Waimea Inlet Forum was created as a result of the Waimea Inlet Management Strategy, and joins together the Tasman and Nelson councils, the Department of Conservation, and other statutory and non-statutory groups and organisations, businesses and residents who have an interest in and a commitment to the Waimea Inlet and its sustainable future.
Tasman Environmental Trust was founded in 2000 by four organisations: The Department of Conservation, Federated Farmers, Queen Elizabeth II Trust and the Tasman District Council. The Trust offers expertise in the protection, maintenance and restoration of land, fresh water and estuarine natural environments. They work collaboratively with the whole community, including special interest groups, landowners and businesses in Tasman and distribute funds for viable local environmental projects.
Learn more about the Waimea Inlet.
Council also publishes a range of environmental monitoring reports. Some of these focus on the Waimea Inlet/Estuary:
For easier viewing, use this link to open this summary in a new window.
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