Pukepuke Lagoon is a dune lake and wetland situated between Himitanga and Tangimoana, and is an important wetland habitat for birds, freshwater fish and native plants. The Pukepuke Conservation Area is Managed by the Department of Conservation and a (free) permit is required to visit the area. A number of species, seldom found elsewhere in the region, live at the lagoon and two nationally threatened species: the New Zealand dabchick and the Australasian bittern are also found here. The lake was originally around 160ha, but has reduced in size to around 15 ha over the last century as a result of sand drift, local drainage, and the spread of raupo. Horizons Regional Council initiated quarterly water quality monitoring (Trophic Level Index) of the lake in 2014 (www.lawa.org.nz).
