Te Waewae Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Te Waewae Bay |
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Looking towards Pahia Hill
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| Location | Foveaux Strait |
| River sources | Waiau River, Waikoau River, Waimeamea River, Rowallan Burn |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Max. length | 27 km (17 mi) |
Te Waewae Bay is a large bay located in the Southland area of New Zealand. It is one of three big bays found along the coast of the Foveaux Strait. The other two bays are Oreti Beach and Toetoes Bay.
This bay stretches for about 27 kilometres (17 miles). The western part of Te Waewae Bay is quite mountainous. Here, you can find the southern end of the Southern Alps mountain range and part of Fiordland National Park.
Contents
Nearby Towns and Rivers
The small farming town of Orepuki sits on cliffs at the eastern side of the bay. The timber town of Tuatapere is located about seven kilometres (4.3 miles) north of the bay. It is on the banks of the Waiau River. This river flows into Te Waewae Bay.
A Special Place for Marine Animals
Te Waewae Bay is a very important place for marine animals. The area from Sand Hill Point to Pahia Point is a special marine mammal sanctuary. This means it is a protected home for many sea creatures.
It is a crucial habitat for New Zealand fur seals. It is also home to the Hector's dolphins, which are a type of dolphin found only in New Zealand. The bay is also one of the main places where southern right whales come to breed in winter along the mainland coasts.
Other amazing animals can sometimes be seen in the bay. These include humpback whales, orcas (also known as killer whales), Hooker's sea lions, and leopard seals.
Protecting the Dolphins
The Sea Shepherd group helps protect the animals in the bay. They run an annual patrol called "Operation Pahu." The word Pahu means Hector's Dolphins in the Maori language. This operation helps keep the dolphins safe.
Land Animals and Birds
The land around Te Waewae Bay, both along the coast and further inland, is also full of wildlife. You can find little blue penguins and Fiordland crested penguins here. There are also 25 different kinds of native birds living in the area. The endangered New Zealand long-tailed bats also call this region home.
Images for kids
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Monkey Island and Orepuki
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Mussel Beach, Port Craig
See also
In Spanish: Bahía de Te Waewae para niños
