| Coopers Lagoon / Muriwai | |
|---|---|
| Muriwai o Whata (Māori) | |
.png)  Coopers Lagoon / Muriwai | |
| Location | Selwyn District and Christchurch City, Canterbury region, South Island |
| Coordinates | 43°51′30″S 172°18′00″E / 43.8583°S 172.3001°E |
| Type | Brackish lagoon |
| Primary inflows | Youngs Creek |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Max. length | 1.15 km (0.71 mi) |
| Max. width | 0.76 km (0.47 mi) |
| Surface area | 2 ha (4.9 acres)[1] |
| Max. depth | 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)[1] |
| Surface elevation | 3 metres (9.8 ft)[2] |
Coopers Lagoon / Muriwai is a small coastal waituna-type lagoon in the Canterbury region of New Zealand, located approximately halfway between the mouth of the Rakaia River and the outlet of the much larger Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora.[3] While the present-day lagoon is separated from the nearby Canterbury Bight by approximately 100 metres (330 ft), the water of the lagoon is considered brackish and early survey maps show that, until recently, the lagoon was connected to the ocean by a small channel.[4] The lagoon, along with the surrounding wetlands, has historically been an important mahinga kai (site of traditional significance for food and other natural resources) for local Māori.
In 1998, Coopers Lagoon was officially given a dual place name as part of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement with Ngāi Tahu, receiving the name Coopers Lagoon / Muriwai.[5]
- ^ a b "Coopers Lagoon / Muriwai". LAWA.org.nz. Environment Canterbury. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ McCombs, Kate. "Wetland Report: Coopers Lagoon (Muriwai)" (PDF). Canterbury Maps. Environment Canterbury. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
doc.govtwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Te Mahere Whakahaere o Muriwai o Whata (Muriwai / Coopers Lagoon Management Plan)". Environment Canterbury. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Te Taumutu Rūnanga. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Mana Recognition". Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Retrieved 26 September 2021.