Two rare birds have laid eggs at Wairarapa's Riversdale Beach and a temporary fence has been built to protect them.
Two nationally endangered New Zealand dotterel (tuturiwhatu) laid three eggs on a precarious sandspit between the lagoon at Riversdale and the sea.
They were spotted at the beach last month and began attempting to incubate three eggs just north of the Riversdale Surf Club last week.
Greater Wellington Regional Council staff and residents have done all they can to protect the nest from vehicles and dogs, although little can be done about the elements.
Regional council biodiversity adviser Robyn Smith said the birds usually lay eggs in a small scrape in the sand on exposed beaches but many of them choose a safer spot than this pair.