A huge fire that raged for almost 24 hours south east of Invercargill has destroyed more than 400ha of an internationally recognised scientific reserve.
The fire in the Waituna Wetlands Scientific Reserve, administered by the Department of Conservation, consumed mature manuka trees and wetland plants and would have killed birds and skinks, Doc's Awarua Wetlands project co-ordinator Polly Bulling said.
"Years of restoration effort have gone in one night."
The fragile wetland environment, which covers about 20,000ha, including the Waituna lagoon, was nationally and internationally important for wildlife, she said.
It was one of the largest wetland complexes in New Zealand and home to more than 80 different species of birds, and 16 nationally and regionally uncommon plants as well as lizards and a prolific range of insects.