Pūkeko are among New Zealand's most recognisable wetland birds and are a familiar sight around Waikawa Beach's ponds, drains, wetlands and stream margins.

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With their striking blue and black plumage, red bill and long legs, Pūkeko are highly adaptable birds that thrive in areas with a mixture of open water, wetland vegetation and grassland.

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They are often seen foraging for seeds, shoots, insects and small aquatic creatures and can frequently be spotted leading their families through long grass and rushes during spring and summer.

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Healthy wetlands and riparian planting provide important habitat and shelter for Pūkeko and many other wetland species.​ Their presence is a reminder of the important role wetlands continue to play within the wider Waikawa landscape.

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