One of the tracks to the river mouth takes you through a sea of golden rushes.

A narrow track through rushes, with the river mouth in the background.

I visited at low tide, just after dawn, and the area was a vast mudflat where birds were feeding. 🐦

NZ dotterel.
NZ dotterel.
Shag.
Shag.
White-faced heron.
White-faced heron.