KINAKINA WETLANDS

“Te Kaha No. 2C (also known as Te Kinakina) is a block of Māori freehold land situated on Copenhagen Road near the township of Te Kaha, Eastern Bay of Plenty. The land was once owned by Te Taane Tukaki whom all the current owners descend from. The land is generally flat to undulating with some steeper gullies and steep sidling not developed. (MLC Judge Fox, 2015)

The primary waterway running through Te Kinakina land block is Pakuranui Stream. The dedicated wetland area of 7.2 hectares includes remnants of indigenous forest and seepage lowlands." Pakuranui Stream cuts a snake-like course across the valley before flowing out to sea.  The locals call this area ‘Snake Gully’.  ​

On the western side of Snake Gully, much of the land has been cleared and fenced off, interrupted only by a few pockets of native bush.  The valley floor is damp, fed by contributories of spring water and other small creeks from neighbouring blocks.  In general, the low land is seepage wetland, with natural ponds appearing when rain is plentiful.  ​