Lake Kaikura is a stream channel that has been blocked by windblown sand, forming a lake and swampy gully (https://www.trc.govt.nz/). The lake and surrounding wetland complex is protected under the 9.5 ha Dwyer, Stevenson/Le Prou, Schrider open space covenant. The covenant area is part of the one per cent of former wetland areas that remain on Taranaki farmland, making it a valuable biodiversity asset. The lake has an extensive wetland and is a regionally significant wildlife habitat as it shelters the locally depleted small tree wharangi, and several important birds species like the spotless crake (Porzana tabuensis plumbea), a regionally uncommon species, and the Australasian bittern (Botaurus stellaris poiciloptilus), a nationally vulnerable species (https://qeiinationaltrust.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/FINAL-PDF-OS-85.pdf).
