Lake Ellesmere and Kaitorete Spit from the Banks Peninsula Hills
Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere is NZ's fourth largest lake. It is separated from the sea by Kaitorete Spit. The lake is an internationally important wetland and is home to many thousands of birds, both permanent residents and visiting national seasonal and trans global migrants. Kaitorete spit is such an isolated and challenging environment it has evolved its on endemic species of lizard, gecko, moth, and several plants. It is the last remaining large scale pingao (a native sand sedge) dunes system in the country and as a consequence the last thriving environment for many pingao dune species including New Zealand's infamous katipo spider, a member of the black widow family of spiders.
Lake Ellesmere and Kaitorete Spit from the Banks Peninsula Hills
Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere is NZ's fourth largest lake. It is separated from the sea by Kaitorete Spit. The lake is an internationally important wetland and is home to many thousands of birds, both permanent residents and visiting national seasonal and trans global migrants. Kaitorete spit is such an isolated and challenging environment it has evolved its on endemic species of lizard, gecko, moth, and several plants. It is the last remaining large scale pingao (a native sand sedge) dunes system in the country and as a consequence the last thriving environment for many pingao dune species including New Zealand's infamous katipo spider, a member of the black widow family of spiders.