Just at the start to Grays Road near Pauahatunui is a small car parking area from which a 5 min trail leads to the cache site which is at a bird hide where a variety of birds can be seen at times. Unlike the other hides in this area, there always seems to be water here so it seems to attract the most birds.
Thought to refer to the shapes of the inlet, Pauatahanui means ‘big side of the paua shell’ and contains one of the most important salt marshes in the North Island.
The reserve has a range of vegetation from tidal mudflats to regenerating scrubland, and is inhabited by many local and migratory birds (caspian tern, pukeko, pied stilt, kingfisher, black shag, bar-tailed godwit) and a variety of mud-dwelling species, such as the walnut-sized native mud snail.
Forest & Bird has restored the area, which was formerly farmland and a go-kart track, to much of its natural wetland state. Restoration has included creating a series of shallow ponds, tracks, boardwalks and hides for observing birdlife, planting native species, and establishing a plant nursery and visitor centre. Visitors are welcome to walk through the many tracks that weave throughout this wildlife reserve.
Source: https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/projects/pauatahanui-wildlife-reserve-paekakariki-wellington
View from GZ
Optional - attach a photo looking out from the hide showing what is going on outside, similar to the photo on the cache page, prefererably with some birds visible. This will create a pictorial history over time.
Note - for obvious reasons, canine companions are NOT welcome in this area.