ÅkÄrito lagoon is a coastal lagoon on the west coast of new zealand's south island. it is located 130 kilometres south of hokitika, and covers an area of about 12&nbsp;kmÂ², making it the largest unmodified wetland in new zealand. several small rivers drain into the lagoon, and it is the outflow of lake mapourika. the lagoon is home of many species of wading birds, notably the extremely rare (in new zealand) kÅtuku (eastern great egret). ÅkÄrito is the kÅtuku's only new zealand breeding place.kotuku, the white heronnative fact sheet, kotuku (broken link) wellington zoo at the southern end of the lagoon is the small settlement of ÅkÄrito. originally a gold mining township, the population reached of over 1,500 in 1866.http://glaciercountry.co.nz/pages/38/ it is now permanent home to only about 30 residents - among them booker prize-winning writer keri hulme and landscape photographer andris apse. in 1909 the bones of a whale beached in 1908, 6 miles north of the setllement were taken to canterbury and displayed and called the okarito whale  bird watching, eco-tours and kayak tours of the lagoon are available, and there are a number of local hikes. the kotuku and more than 76 other bird species have been recorded at okarito. these species include migratory waders, gulls, shags and terns on the estuarine mud flats as well as black swans, scaup, crested grebes, and ducks in freshwater areas. tui, bellbird, kingfishers, pigeon, crakes, fern birds, and bitterns and crakes inhabit the wetland areas.http://activeadventures.com/new-zealand/about/destinations/okarito-lagoon the rarest species of kiwi, the okarito kiwi, or rowi, is also found near the town of ÅkÄrito. == references ==  ==external links== *okarito lagoon new zealand birds limited *okarito community association   
Lagoons_of_New_Zealand Westland_District