Hawkdun Runs Road Marsh

Description: Marsh on the upper Manuherikia river terraces east of Hawkdun Runs Road area and located within the Mt St Bathans pastoral lease 33

Type/Class: Marsh 2

Size: 50.9 ha

Altitude: 620 - 720 m above sea level

Approximate location: 31 km Northwest of Naseby | NZTM (centre point): E1354600 N5033400

Regional Plan: Water for Otago | Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.57, Map F18

Territorial Authority: Central Otago District Council

Interactive map

Recorded Values

Value Description
A5 Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character. Less than 15% of marshes remain in Otago. 2
A1 - A3, A6 - A9 No relevant information is currently held by the ORC.

 

Other Information

  • The vegetation in this area has been described as Chionochloa rubra subsp. cuprea, being dominant in patches but wetter tussock areas contain swamp lily (Bulbinella angustifolia), cutty grass (Carex coriacea), Maori dock (Rumex flexuosus) and sedge tussock (Schoenus pauciflorus). Other species recorded include pūkio (Carex secta), Hydrocotyle sulcata, sharp spike sedge (Eleocharis acuta), common rush (Juncus effusus), Sphagnum sp., Gaudichaud's sedge (Carex gaudichaudiana), water buttercup/waoriki (Ranunculus amphitrichus) and combsedge (Oreobolus pectinatus). 33

  • Native and exotic herbs and grasses are common around the Manuherikia river bed terraces. Common native species include common mat daisy (Raoulia australis), Scabweed (Raoulia hookeri), creeping pohuehue (Muehlenbeckia axillaris), dwarf mingimingi (Leucopogon fraseri), Blue Mountain bidibid (Acaena inermis), willowherb (Epilobium spp.), pānakenake (Pratia angulata), silver tussock (Poa cita), and short-flowered cranesbill (Geranium sessiliflorum), which has a threat status of declining. Local species include Carex muelleri, an at risk species. Exotic weed species include mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella), sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella), great mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and stonecrop (Sedum acre). 33

  • The endemic Black-fronted Tern (Sterna albostriata) is found in the upper Manuherikia River terraces. This bird is listed as nationally endangered. 33

  • The historic Scandinavian Water Race flows through the swamp. 33

  • Listed as an Additional Wetland in Schedule 19.6A of the Central Otago District Plan. 55

 

Aerial View of Hawkdun Runs Road Marsh (April 2005)

 

References

2 Ausseil, A.G., Newsome, P., Johnson, P. (2008) Wetland Mapping in the Otago Region. Landcare Research Contract Report prepared for the Otago Regional Council.

33 Land Information New Zealand (2006) Crown Pastoral Land Tenure Review: Mt St Bathans Pastoral Lease. Conservation Resources Report - Part 1 for the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Published by Land Information New Zealand, Wellington.

55 Central Otago District Council (2008) Central Otago District Plan, Published by Central Otago District Council, Alexandra.