Wetlands are areas of land where the water is at or near the surface of the ground, creating conditions that are either permanently or seasonally saturated with water. They are characterised by a unique mix of soil, water, and vegetation, which distinguishes them from other ecosystems. Wetlands in NZ can take various forms, such as swamps, bogs, tarns, lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries, intertidal areas, geothermal pools, and underground wetlands.