Waiau Trust • Waiau Fisheries and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Trust

The Waiau Fisheries and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Trust has been operating in the Waiau catchment in Southland New Zealand since 1997. We’re an independant organisation dedicated to enhancing the biodiversity of the Waiau catchment. We also provide public access to stream and wetland habitats, for both recreational and educational purposes.

The Trust has completed over 130 stream and wetland habitat enhancement projects and 12 public access projects, a selection of which are shown on our project map.

We welcome all enquires about our work - feel free to contact the Waiau Trust.

Our focus in a nutshell

We work closely with landowners to improve aquatic habitats on their property, which also improves water quality.

Wetlands, waterways and access to them is key to ensuring that the whole water network of the Waiau is protected, improved and kept as beneficial to all as possible.

With nearly 90% of New Zealand’s wetlands drained, diverted or simply gone, and many waterways significantly modified, each and every water body is special and must be cared for.

Latest news

Former chair - Cam McCulloch honored at Environment Awards

The Waiau Fisheries and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Trust is very proud to share that former chair - Cam McCulloch, has been recognised at Environment Southland's Environment Awards 2025 on 3… More

Wetlands

Wetlands are the sponges and filters of the biosphere. More...

Waterways

Waterways are like a network of blood vessels for the landscape. More...

Access

We’re working hard to make it easy to get to our rivers and lakes. More...