Whakaki Lagoon facts for kids

Whakakī lagoon is a small coastal lagoon found on the east coast of New Zealands North island and is a part of the Hawke's Bay region. The shoreline and sediment bed are mainly composed of sapric soil from nearby farming runoff and lithic sand from the sand bank of the neighboring Whakakī beach.

Quick facts for kids Whakakī lagoon
Whakakī lagoon Location in North Island
Location	Wairoa district, Hawkes Bay region, North island
Coordinates	39°2′34″S 177°33′7″E / 39.04278°S 177.55194°E / -39.04278; 177.55194
Type	Coastal lagoon
Etymology	From Te Reo Maori, verb: "fill", "filling"
Surface area	~40.1 km2 (15.5 sq mi)

Whakakī lagoon

Location in New Zealand

Geography

Whakaki lagoon is located between state highway 2 and Whakaki beach, Because of this both Whakaki lagoon and Whakaki beach are known fishing areas. Whakaki has no or very small outlet to the ocean during high rainfalls the lagoon needs to be manually let out. mountains in the nearby area hold folklore of seven whales being turned to stone and thus mountains when not returning home- Hikunui, Iwitea, Korito, Takitaki, Onepoto, Tahutoria and Tuhara

Biota

Flora

• Noninvasive Flora
  • Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
  • Sweet briar (Rosa rubiginosa)
  • Boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum)
  • Marram grass (Amophilla arnearia)
  • Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana)
  • Lupin (Lupinus arboreus)
  • Iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis)
• Invasive flora
  • Blackberry (Rubus fruticous)
  • Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera)

Fauna

• Aquatic fauna
  • Shortfin eel (Anguilla australis)
  • Inanga (Galaxias species)
  • Goldfish/Carp (Carassius auratus)
  • Common bully (Gobiomorphus cotidianus)
• Amphibian fauna
  • Goose species (of family Anatidae)
  • Duck species (of family Anatidae)
  • Common shelduck (of family Anatidae)
• Terrestrial fauna
  • Common rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)