The Department of Conservation has produced a strategy for managing recreation in the Ashburton Lakes. The Ō Tū Wharekai recreation plan will consolidate planning directions for recreation activities and facilities in The Ō Tū Wharekai in the short and medium term.

What is the Ō Tū Wharekai project?

The Ō Tū Wharekai project area covers the Ashburton Lakes and upper Rangitata River of Canterbury. Two conservation parks are included in the project area - Hakatere and Te Kahui Kaupeka.

The focus of the Ō Tū Wharekai project is to protect and restore the wetlands - and is one of three wetlands under the national Arawai Kākāriki wetland programme.

Find out more about the Ō Tū Wharekai project.

Recreation in Ō Tū Wharekai

The area is also highly valued for a wide range of recreation activities such as walking, tramping, fishing, boating and hunting. The purpose of this discussion is to plan for recreation in ways that support wetland restoration. You will find this plan in the publications section of this website.

Ō Tū Wharekai recreation plan