The coastline
Whakatipu Waitai/Martins Bay has the longest beach in Fiordland and is noted as one of the 10 most important dune systems in the South Island (of 302 sites surveyed). The dunes are home to a range of nesting seabirds – banded dotterels, terns, oystercatchers, and tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin. Pīngao, a native sedge, dominates to bind the dunes.
Behind the dunes are various archaeological sites relating to Māori occupation of the area from the 1600s onwards. Towards the south end of the beach the remains of the McKenzie Homestead (circa 1900) can also be seen.
To the north, across the river mouth and around the rocky Atua Rere/Long Reef Point, is a colony of kekeno/New Zealand fur seals and tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin.
A single mature rimu surveyed as host to 130 other plant species
Vegetation
The lower Hollyford is a fascinating area botanically, as it is the southern limit of South Westland forest and the northern limit of Fiordland forest types: mixed beech, podocarp and broadleaf forest, up to 800 years old, with some remaining fuchsia. Southern rātā, Metrosideros umbellata, once prolific, was in serious decline but is now being restored, an important food source for kākā, kea, tūī and korimako/bellbirds, and stunningly beautiful when in flower.
A striking feature of the forest is the diversity within the understorey. This is illustrated by a single mature rimu surveyed as host to 130 other plant species – epiphytic trees, shrubs, vines, orchids, ferns, mosses, liverworts and lichens. There is rare native mistletoe in the canopy, as well as a rich array of rare orchids and fungi lower in the forest.
Fruit from podocarps and fuchsia also provide a significant food source for kererū. Both rātā and fuchsia are very susceptible to browsing by possums. Prior to the Trust undertaking possum control, there were very few healthy stands of fuchsia left in the area and the rātā was being severely damaged by possum browse. There are also remnants of kōwhai riparian forest, a valuable food source for nectar feeders such as tūī, kākā, kererū and korimako/bellbirds.
World-recognised wetlands
Another unique habitat here is the McKenzie Lagoon, draining into the lower Hollyford River, listed as a regionally significant wetland in the Environment Southland Water and Land Plan, and recognised by ecologists around the world. This lagoon and oioi rush-land differs from other southern examples. (There has been a large loss of this wetland type nationally due to it being relatively fertile.) The wetland/lagoon area is a significant habitat and breeding site for many wetland birds including the nationally critical matuku-hurepō/Australasian bittern (with increasing sightings here). Kōtuku/white heron is a regular visitor.
Bottlenose and Hector’s dolphins are also regular visitors to the area, pods of the marine mammals swimming up the lower Hollyford River to Lake McKerrow, thought to be the only dolphins in New Zealand, if not the world, to swim into fresh water.
Birdlife
Since 2014, with the Hollyford Conservation Trust’s work installing extensive predator control, the birdlife, and not least birdsong, has increased significantly. These species include: miromiro/tomtit, korimako/bellbird, pīpipi/brown creeper, riroriro/grey warbler, ruru/morepork, tūī, tītitipounamu/rifleman, kākāriki and pīwakawaka/South Island fantail. From anecdotal information and scientific bird counts, populations of almost all native songbirds are increasing as a result of the intensive predator control.
In addition, we are also seeing many more kākā, kārearea/New Zealand falcons and kererū. Mātātā/fernbirds, once rarely seen, are now a common sight, and matuku-hurepo/Australasian bittern, classified as nationally critical and declining elsewhere in Aotearoa, appears to have found a safe habitat here in the lower Hollyford Valley.
Once locally extinct, kakaruai/South Island robin were successfully translocated back into the lower Hollyford in 2019. From the initial translocation of 151 kakaruai, the population is now expanding and multiplying through the area, adding its song to the dawn chorus.
The Trust is now hoping to ensure predator levels are sufficiently low to enable the reintroduction of another species that was once common to the area – tokoeka/South Island brown kiwi. After over 10 years of hard work, this would be a significant milestone not only for the trust, but for all who visit the lower Hollyford Valley.
Many who visit the lower Hollyford say ‘they have never heard birdsong like it’
Our wildlife and flora directory
To highlight the special biodiversity of the lower Hollyford Valley, we aim to build a catalogue of its unique flora and fauna. It will be a constant work-in-progress.
If you capture photos that you can share with us to help with this collection, please email us.