This report presents the results of the 2021/2022 annual monitoring, undertaken from 19-22 January 2022. Current sediment accrual rates in Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour remain elevated, particularly in the Pāuatahanui Inlet. High accretion is commonly associated with high mud content and poor sediment oxygenation and is likely causing adverse ecological effects. There was some recovery from the widespread intertidal deposition of soft muds recorded in January 2020 in Pāuatahanui Inlet near Kakaho and Ration Point, but increased deposition was evident at Horokiri, along with a trend of increasing intertidal sediment mud content.

Reference: Stevens LM, Rabel H, Forrest BM. 2022. Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour Sediment Plate Monitoring 2021/2022. Salt Ecology Report 090, prepared for Greater Wellington Regional Council, July 2022. 23p.