Okarito

Okarito is a small coastal settlement in the West Coast region of New Zealand’s South Island. It lies at the mouth of the Okarito River and overlooks the Okarito Lagoon, a large tidal wetland that stretches along the coastline. The village serves as a gateway for ecotourism centered on the lagoon’s birdlife and the surrounding native forest.

The Okarito wetlands are protected as the Okarito Nature Reserve and form part of the broader Okarito Wetlands. The lagoon supports a variety of waterbirds and waders, including migratory species, and is closely associated with the Rowi kiwi, a brown kiwi subspecies found in the area. Conservation efforts led by government agencies and community groups have helped protect and recover this rare bird.

Okarito has a historical legacy from the West Coast gold rush of the 1860s, when a provisional township formed around mining and fishing. The boom was short-lived, and after mining declined, the settlement’s population and economy diminished. In the 20th century the focus shifted toward conservation and tourism. Today the population is small, and the local economy centers on guided lagoon tours, accommodation for visitors, and access to the surrounding wetlands and forest.

The area holds cultural significance for Māori and is part of the broader Ngāi Tahu region. Okarito’s coastal landscape and biodiversity values continue to attract researchers, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts.