Lake Wairarapa is a large, shallow lake at the southern end of the Wairarapa plains, connected to the sea by the Ruamāhanga River. The lake and its surrounding Wairarapa Moana Wetlands form one of the most important wetland ecosystems in the lower North Island, supporting large populations of waterfowl and wading birds. Pied stilts, paradise shelducks, royal spoonbills, bitterns, and fernbirds are among the species found here.
The wetlands were significantly drained and modified in the 20th century, but restoration work since the 1990s has improved conditions considerably. Access is primarily via the Lake Ferry road from the south, or from the wetlands reserve at the lake's western edge. The lake is also a popular spot for eeling and whitebait fishing in season. Birdwatchers should aim for dawn or dusk when the waterfowl are most active on the lake margins. The lake's connections to Māori history are deep — it was a major food source for Rangitāne iwi for many centuries.