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Catchment covers 125 square
A photo of the Waikanae River from the Alexander Turnbull Library, taken in the 1890s. Much of the riverbank falls into protected zones identified by the regional council as “Key Native Ecosystem” (KNE) sites along the river. They are some of the best examples of lowland riparian forest in the region with hugely diverse ecosystems. Regional council biodiversity management team leader Richard Romijn said these were home to nine plant and five freshwater fish species listed as nationally threatened, and two plant and one bird species listed as regionally threatened. Chair of Friends of Waikanae River Russell Bell pointed out it wouldn’t take much to see the whole length of the river’s course protected in this way.