One of the more interesting stops on my recent tour of the Kaipara District up north was Kai Iwi Lakes. These are freshwater dune lakes (Kai Iwi, Taharoa and Waikere), renowned for their beauty. I've been keen to visit here for quite some time.
The dune lakes were formed, and are fed, by the accumulation of rain water in depressions of sand, above relatively impermeable ironstone pans. Water levels change depending on the season.
Maori are believed to have used the lakes for fishing in the 16th century, later living around the lake during summer and using the Pine Beach camping area as a convalescent camp for wounded warriors. Oral tradition mentions large eeling parties descending upon the lake during the migration season.
"Kai Iwi--food for the people," was named for its abundance of fish and eels. "Taharoa--long calabash," was named because the lake is shaped like a long necked pumpkin/squash. And last but not least, "Waikere--rippling water" was called this due to its windswept surface.
Kauri gum digger huts existed on the shores of Lake Kai Iwi in the 1870's. By 1892 there was a small camp and general store at Lake Taharoa, and by the 1920's, about 100 people, mostly gum diggers, were believed to have lived around the lakes' shores. Most of the diggers left the area by the late 1920's.
Today the lakes are part of a reserve that offers a range of recreational activities and support a variety of native bird, fish and plant life.
On a weekday in late spring it was relatively quiet, with only a few campers around (and these were mostly German tourists off the beaten track). So I was able to wander and photograph in complete tranquility, stumbled upon a wetland area with a cluster of skeleton trees housing a colony of nesting little shags. I wasn't able to get terribly close to them (my longest lens is 300mm), but it was interesting to see!
Well worth a visit if you're in the area, or looking for an interesting place to camp with family.
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