Wharauwerawera (Wharewerawera)/Long Beach Wetland Purchase

Restore a place that’s shaped the shores of Ōtepoti/Dunedin for generations.

The Landscape Connections trust (the people behind Halo Project) has a rare opportunity to purchase and permanently protect the wetland at Wharauwerawera (Wharewerawera)/Long Beach, Ōtepoti/Dunedin. We’re inviting our community to be part of the journey.

Why Restoration of this Wetland Matters:

Spanning 33 hectares of low-lying wetland and hill slopes behind the Long Beach dunes, this place has been shaped by water, people, and time.

For centuries it has been significant to Kāi Tahu; a place of food gathering and deep connection. Today, it supports blue penguins, endangered New Zealand sea lions, and a rare coastal wetland ecosystem under increasing pressure.

This is a nationally threatened habitat. And it stands at a turning point.

A Once-in-a-Generation Chance:

The Halo Project is working to purchase this land outright, ensuring it is permanently protected for public good, restored in partnership with mana whenua, and cared for by the community that loves it.

Ownership by LCT means:

The wetland is restored for people and wildlife

Conservation covenants protect it in perpetuity

Restoration happens in phases, grounded in science and partnership

Flood risk for Long Beach is reduced over time

We've already planted more than 50,000 native plants in the adjacent wetland and back dune areas. This purchase is the next step.