Lake Kohangapiripiri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Kohangapiripiri |
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 Lake Kohangapiripiri
Location in New Zealand Wellington
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| Location | Wellington Harbour, North Island |
| Coordinates | 41°21′40″S 174°51′25″E / 41.3610°S 174.8569°E |
| Primary inflows | Cameron Stream |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
Lake Kohangapiripiri is a beautiful freshwater lake located in Fitzroy Bay, near Wellington Harbour in New Zealand. It's one of two special lakes in the Pencarrow area, with the other being Lake Kohangatera. You can find it on the eastern side of Wellington Harbour, close to Pencarrow Head, within the East Harbour Regional Park.
The lake gets its water from Cameron Stream, which flows from land to the north. These Pencarrow lakes formed a long time ago. Valleys near the sea became blocked after earthquakes changed the land. This created the perfect spots for these lakes to form.
Discovering the Unspoiled Wetlands
Lake Kohangapiripiri and its partner, Lake Kohangatera, are very special places. Their names give us clues about them. Kohangapiripiri means 'a nest clinging very strongly'. Kohangatera means 'a nest basking in the sun'.
These lakes are important because they are some of New Zealand's last truly unspoiled wetlands. Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present near the surface, for all or parts of the year. They are like natural sponges and homes for many plants and animals.
Amazing Plants and Animals
The area around Lake Kohangapiripiri is home to many rare native plants. It also supports unique fish and wetland birds. You might spot a spotless crake or an Australian bittern here. These birds are not common in other places.
This lake is also the only spot in the area where banded dotterel birds build their nests on open sand. The lake itself is still very healthy. It does not have introduced brown trout or harmful water weeds. Instead, it is home to native fish like kokopu (Galaxias argenteus) and longfinned eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii).
Protecting the Natural Habitat
For about 150 years, the native plants on the hills around the lake were damaged. Settlers used to burn and graze animals there. But now, things are changing for the better.
The New Zealand Department of Conservation and the Greater Wellington Regional Council work together to protect the area. Since 2004, farm animals have not been allowed to graze there. This has helped the natural plants to grow back and recover.
The land around Lake Kohangapiripiri has a rich history. Evidence shows that early Maori people lived here a long time ago. It was also the site of New Zealand's very first lighthouse.
