Okarito, Westland

The lagoon at Okarito is home to New Zealand's only breeding colony of white heron, or kotuku.  In the 1940's the colony was down to only six pairs, but restrictions on access has brought that up to about 200 birds.  Still not very many.  It was wonderful to see them.

That's Mt Cook and Mt Tasman over on the right. 

Kotuku or white heron