This report presents the findings of fine scale sediment monitoring at two intertidal sites in the Whareama Estuary, a 12km long tidal river estuary on the Wairarapa Coast. This monitoring was undertaken in January 2016 and included assessments of sediment texture, nutrient concentrations and invertebrate community health. This is the first survey since the fine scale baseline was established between 2008 and 2010. Results showed that mud content remains high, there are low levels of organic enrichment and the invertebrate community is mud-tolerant with low species richness.

Keywords: Whareama Estuary, Whareama River, Wairarapa, sedimentation, environmental monitoring, invertebrate, mud, nutrients