Motueka River Delta

The Motueka Delta estuary is a shallow tidal river mouth estuary that discharges onto a broad delta (750ha). It is highly used and valued for its aesthetic appeal, rich biodiversity, shellfish, assimilation of wastewater, bathing, duck shooting, whitebaiting, fishing, walking, and scientfic appeal.

Much of the Motueka estuary/Delta is shallow, will flushed, has a very high freshwater inflow (particularly during rainfall events), and short residence time and consequently is not very susceptible to having water and sediment quality problems.

Much of the estuary is in good condition but fine sediments do tend to settle in some 'at-risk' areas where soft muddy conditions exist (e.g. in the Kumara area and on the Motueka delta towards the Riwaka River Mouth) and localised nuisance algal blooms near the Motueka Sewage Treatment Plant.

Further Information

• Broad-scale habitat mapping of Motueka Delta Estuary (2004)
• Broad-scale historical habitat mapping of Motueka Delta Estuary (2004)