The bush clad mountains of the Rimutaka and Tararua Ranges to our west separate us from New Zealand ’s capital city Wellington . Our eastern boundary is an isolated rocky coastline beyond which is the Pacific Ocean To our south is Cook Strait which separates the North and South Islands To the North are the Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay Regions.

Between these boundaries lay river plains, hill country ranches and native bush remnants and exotic forests.

The main Wairarapa Valley is drained by the Ruamahanga River system into Lake Onoke and out to sea.

South Wairarapa is dominated by Lake Wairarapa . Known as the "Diversion", Lake Wairarapa was the scene for one of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest earthwork undertakings, where the Ruamahanga River was diverted from Lake Wairarapa directly into Lake Onoke .

Lake Wairarapa still has a large inflow of water, but is essentially a flood control system for the Ruamahanga River . In times of flood excess water is fed via the Oporua spillway into Lake Wairarapa , and held in there by flood gates until the river recedes. The held water is released back into the river to flow onto Lake Onoke and out to sea.

Recreational Opportunities in the Wairarapa

Lake Wairarapa is one of New Zealand ’s most valuable wetland systems. The main body of water covers approximately 20,000 acres, and is complemented by ephemeral swamps and lagoons around its perimeter.

Lake Wairarapa altered significantly in the 1855 earthquake, evidence of this can still be seen today. Now a fresh water lake it is host to a variety of fish and bird species of economic, cultural, and aesthetic value. Around 80 different species of bird have been recorded at the lake and surrounding wetlands.

Away from the lake ecosystem lie mountain streams, meandering rivers and hundreds of private ponds and lagoons.

The Wairarapa is the home of one of the first successful liberations of Red Deer of the Windsor Park stock. Remnants of those deer can still be seen in the trophies taken from time to time in the various Forest Parks where they were released.

In the Wairarapa there are good populations of Fallow and Red Deer on public and private land, and on safari parks. Trophies by and large come from private land and the safari parks.

We have good fresh water and saltwater fisheries, very easily accessed, and angling competition is often non-existent.

Wairarapa is host to a number of adventure activities, wine trails and boutique museums, along with a number of respectable golf courses, and is home to any number of superb scenic vistas.

The Wairarapa is a strong rural region that harbours many farming systems.

However you choose to spend your time here in the Wairarapa, We would like to play a part in making your visit memorable. You will find our details on the Contacts page.