Bird watching
Awhitu's many easily accessible wild spaces are home to a wide range of native avifauna, including the rare matata (fern-bird), matuku (bittern), kaka and Royal Spoonbill as well as the occasional korimako (bell-bird) and mohopereru (banded rail). Shore and ocean species - including gannet, skua, blue penguin, tern and many waders - can be observed cruising beaches or foraging on tidal flats.