Whanganui National Park

Coordinates: 39°35′0″S 175°5′0″E / 39.58333°S 175.08333°E / -39.58333; 175.08333
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Whanganui National Park
Whanganui River flows through Whanganui National Park.
Map showing the location of Whanganui National Park
Map showing the location of Whanganui National Park
Location in New Zealand
LocationWanganui, New Zealand
Nearest cityWanganui, New Zealand
Coordinates39°35′0″S 175°5′0″E / 39.58333°S 175.08333°E / -39.58333; 175.08333
Area742 km2 (286 sq mi)
Established1986
Governing bodyDepartment of Conservation

The Whanganui National Park is a national park located in the North Island of New Zealand. Established in 1986,[1] it covers an area of 742 km2 bordering the Whanganui River.[2] It incorporates areas of Crown land, former state forest and a number of former reserves. The river itself is not part of the park, but is a popular paddling route titled the Whanganui Journey, one of New Zealand's "Great Walks".[3][4]

Ecology[edit]

Flora[edit]

Whanganui National Park protects a large area of lowland forest and important habitat for native wildlife.

There are numerous stands of podocarp-hardwood forest made up of species including Kāmahi and tawa, with rimu, mīro and tōtaraus on steeper terrain.[5] In lower-lying areas near the river kahikatea, mataī and nīkau palm can be found. Large northern rātā grow throughout the park.[citation needed]

Fauna[edit]

Many species of birds can be found throughout the park. The park protects the habitat of several thousand threatened North Island brown kiwi and the endangered blue duck (whio). Other birds that frequent the park include the grey warbler, yellow-crowned kākāriki, New Zealand falcon (kārearea), New Zealand pigeon (kererū), Rifleman (tītipounamu), silvereye, tomtit, tūī and whitehead.[4][5]

Many species of native fish inhabit the Whanganui River that runs through the park, where native freshwater crayfish (kōura), black flounder, pouched lamprey and eels are also present.[5]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Department of Conservation: "Whanganui National Park", retrieved 21 April 2013
  2. ^ "Data Table – Protected Areas – LINZ Data Service". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Great Walks". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b Department of Conservation: "Whanganui National Park. Flora & fauna", retrieved 21 April 2013
  5. ^ a b c "Nature and conservation". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 5 January 2024.

External links[edit]