DescriptionWaitarakao/Washdyke Lagoon is a coastal lake just north of Timaru in South Canterbury, New Zealand. It is separated from the sea by a long stretch of sand and gravel, and is bordered by State Highway One, the Alliance Group Smithfield meat processing plant and the Washdyke industrial area. Originally as big as 250 hectares, today it covers an area of approximately 50 hectares. It is an area of great ecological importance, and supports considerable birdlife. Traditionally a significant mahika kai site for local Māori, Waitarakao is located along what was an important coastal travel route.
For information on the Māori names in this area and associated stories within the Ngāi Tahu rohe please follow the link below.External LinkKā Huru Manu: Search "Waitarakao"Geolocation[1] Geo AddressWashdyke,New ZealandSubjectEnvironmentEarly Māori