Te Henga (Bethells Beach), West Auckland
West Auckland’s Matuku Link was buzzing with activity on February 2nd as more people than expected turned up to celebrate World Wetlands Day. The annual event, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of wetland ecosystems, drew an enthusiastic crowd and the carpark (field) was almost full.
Passionate volunteers, conservationists and whānau from across West Auckland gathered at the scenic wetland reserve to participate in a range of activities, including a guided tour through the wetland, bird talks... and a healthy water discussion by our very own Rhiannon! Organisers had prepared for a sizable turnout but were pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming community response.
The day has gone amazingly! We've had so many people come through, more than we were expecting. and so many young people too.
Leah Nielsen, Matuku Link
Shane Henderson, Auckland Councillor (Waitākere), was also delighted with the turnout.
Derek March, local artist, unveiled his painting 'The Search' of two matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern) under the moonlight. The painting is part of the Pest Free Waitākere Ranges Alliance's monthly promotion of a native species with a connection to a different area in the Waitākere Ranges region. the painting will go up for auction. T-shirts with Derek March's matuku design are also available to buy online.
I asked Sam Cross, local West Auckland Resident, who had come with his small whānau, what he had learnt at the Wetlands festival -
I didn't know about the range of spiders and the types you can find just within Auckland. I also learnt a bit about how the wasps attack the spiders.
Sam Cross, West Auckland Resident
Sam was particularly impressed with the eels who joined in the Wetlands celebrations at Matuku Link.
Organisers hope the enthusiasm shown at World Wetlands Day will translate into ongoing engagement and support for wetland conservation efforts in Auckland and across Aotearoa New Zealand - and that the turnout will be even bigger next year!
You get as much from connecting with other stallholders as you do from connecting with the general public. Although people came from elsewhere in Auckland, it is still very much a local event... it's really important for us to be connecting with land owners and people who care about this community.
Mels Barton, Kauri Rescue
Gallery
What next?
If you were lucky enough to be at Matuku Link on 1st February, you'll have met a few organisations who care about our wetlands. Our host was Matuku Link - if you wish to get involved in a wetlands project in West Auckland this is an excellent place to start. Other organisations at the event with a focus on wetland conservation included Forest & Bird Waitākere, Birds New Zealand, The Entomological Society, Kauri Rescue, Auckland Council Biodiversity, Auckland Zoo and Pest Free Waitākere Ranges Alliance.
If you would like to know more about the Mountains to Sea Conversation Trust freshwater education programme, called Whitebait Connection, please contact us. Or help the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust protect our blue spaces - we appreciate every donation and love our volunteers.
More about this event
This event was held on Saturday 1st February 2025 at Matuku Link in Te Henga | Bethells Beach, Auckland. The Mountains to Sea Conservation Team was led by Rhiannon Leddra with support from Lorna Doogan.
More about World Wetlands Day
World Wetlands Day, observed annually on February 2nd since 1999, marks the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands established in 1971. This international treaty promotes wetland conservation and sustainable use, raising global awareness of their importance. Aotearoa has 7 Ramsar sites, wetland sites designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. See the locations of all seven significant New Zealand wetland sites on the Ramsar Convention website.
Funders
Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust was at this event due to generous funding from Ministry for the Environment through Wai Connection.
Auckland Local Board
This event took place within the rohe (boundaries) of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board.
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