Para Wetlands

The Para Swamp is situated north of Blenheim in the Waitohi Valley to the west of State Highway One. The area was a large kahikatea and totara swamp in colonial times but most of the forest was cut, leaving the area denuded until willows were planted. Large numbers of birds and fish used to inhabit the swamp and it provided an important food gathering area for Maori. Fish & Game have now poisoned most of the willows and a restoration plan is underway to revegetate the remaining wetlands in native species. Efforts have also been ongoing for many years, to restore the area as a game bird habitat. 


Such a wet gloomy day for the 1st day of Spring - more claggy weather is forecast too.