Historical and ecological significance of Tārerekautuku Yarrs Lagoon Reserve

Tārerekautuku Yarrs Lagoon is a key mahinga kai (food gathering) site of Ngāi Tahu, and in particular the local hapu of Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki based at Taumutu.

Tārerekautuku, sometimes referred to as ‘Springston South’, was one of two key wetland sites (or lagoons) within the Ararira or LII catchment, with the other being Makonui or Clay Bar Lagoon which was located further towards Lincoln, and also known as ‘Springston North’. Both of these sites were significant for the mahinga kai species (places where food and natural resources can be found) they provided and linked to a wider network of food gathering and settlement sites stretching from Taumutu and into Ōtautahi/Christchurch.

The mahinga kai species recorded from Tārerekautuku:

•Tuna (eel), koareare (edible rhizome of raupo/bulrush)

•Koukoupara (Galaxias species)

•Mawehe and other birds: parera (grey duck), putaki (paradise duck), pakura (swamp hen/pukeko),whio (blue duck), kaaha (shag) and aruhe (bracken fernroot).

Ecological and environmental significance

The wetland remains a habitat for a range of indigenous species despite canopy vegetation cover dominated by exotic grey and crack willow. The Lagoon has populations of locally rare manuka and baumea, and nationally threatened swamp nettle.

Yarrs Lagoon is also special considering its direct links to river and coastal lagoon ecosystems and it remains one of the largest freshwater wetland habitats in the Te Waihora catchment. It has high significance as a relatively substantial area on the low plains that retains wetland hydrology and ecological function, as well as for its role in the hydrological functioning of the catchment.

The fact it has survived in a highly modified low plains environment and contains a variety of rare indigenous species makes it significant within the district, as well as across the Canterbury region.