Sediment quality data at the monitoring site in Te Awa Kairangi suggests site conditions are variable, with increases in deposition and mud content evident from 2017-2019 being followed by a general decrease in mud content and an increase aRPD depth. These improvements should have a positive impact on macrofaunal communities and ecosystem health, however, the large transitions

between sediment erosion and deposition are likely to disturb all but the more tolerant infauna species. Note that while recent results indicate a period of erosion and an improvement in sediment condition at the intertidal flat monitoring location, most fine sediment from catchment sources is likely to deposit in subtidal basin areas which are not currently monitored.

Reference: Rabel, H. 2024. Te Awa Kairangi (Hutt Estuary): 2023/2024 Intertidal Sediment Monitoring Summary. Report GW/KI-G-24-13 prepared for Greater Wellington Regional Council by Salt Ecology, March 2024, 2p.