Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 46, September 2002
KOPUATAI PEAT DOME
Situated between Awaiti Road and State Highway 27 is the Kopuatai Peat Dome. The Dome is part of an internationally recognised wetland area and it is managed by the Upper Piako Wetland Management Association who work with the Department of Conservation, Fish and Game New Zealand and Environment Waikato.
The Upper Piako Wetland Association is made up of duck hunters who are keen to enhance the wild wetland areas. The Association has been working on an 800 hectare area of swamp near the dome. They have created sixteen ponds among the grass and willow, creating habitat for ducks and other wetland species, including teals, bitterns, crakes, rails and fernbirds. Predator trapping is carried out to control stoats, ferrets and possums.