Islands
Park geography
A comprehensive analysis of marine area, coastal topography, and regional terrain features.
Geographic Profile and Mapped Boundaries of Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve in Fiordland
Examine the detailed geographic structure of Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve, covering an expansive 4.33 square kilometers of protected marine habitat. This profile tracks essential spatial data, including environmental classifications and the specific inclusion of local bays and river systems within the Fiordland region.
A Fiordland marine reserve protecting layered fiord ecosystems, reef walls, and culturally significant waters.
Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve
Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve is a 433-hectare marine reserve located at Gaer Arm in the Bradshaw Sound of Fiordland, on New Zealand's South Island. Established in 2005 and administered by the Department of Conservation, the reserve protects a distinctive Fiordland marine environment defined by steep-walled fiords, layered water columns, and tidal river estuaries. The reserve's ecological character is shaped by the surrounding mountains, whose heavy rainfall produces a thin freshwater layer over deeper seawater within the fiord. This stratified underwater setting supports a mix of estuarine flats, seagrass beds, rocky reef habitats, and dramatic vertical rock walls. It also encompasses part of the estuary of the Camelot River and provides habitat for locally important populations of cockles and pipi in the Doubtful Sound system. Beyond its ecological significance, the reserve carries strong cultural meaning through its Māori name, Kutu Parera, which references the ancient iwi Kāti Hāwea. It forms an important element of the wider Fiordland Marine Guardians conservation strategy and offers tightly regulated opportunities for diving, research, and public enjoyment of one of New Zealand's most remote coastal landscapes.
- Location
- New Zealand
- Park type
- Marine protected area
- Established
- 2005
- Area
- 4.3 km²
Location overview
Regional settings and maritime status in the Fiordland territory
Geographic Overview of Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve in New Zealand
Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve sits within New Zealand and the Fiordland region. Recorded territorial memberships confirm coastal and marine protected status for regional analysis.
- Countries
- New Zealand
- Regions
- Fiordland
- Primary location
- Fiordland
- Geographic setting
- Coastal · Marine
Boundary and coordinates
Interactive protected boundary geometry and derived spatial measurements
Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve Boundary Map and Spatial Extent
Interactive mapped outlines provide spatial context for the protected area layout. Structured measurement facts detail the recorded marine area, coordinate limits, and geographic span.
- Boundary area
- 4.3 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 20.9 km
- Northernmost point
- 45.2828° S
- Southernmost point
- 45.3211° S
- Easternmost point
- 167.1997° E
- Westernmost point
- 167.1419° E
- Geographic centre
- 45.3051° S, 167.1639° E
- North–south span
- 4.3 km
- East–west span
- 4.5 km
Terrain and natural features
Explore recorded mixed terrain classifications and associated marine and river features
Terrain and Named Natural Features in Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve
Stored regional terrain classifications outline mixed landscape types across the protected area. Linked feature cards supply names, types, measurements, and spatial relationships for recorded natural features.
Selected named natural features
Bays
Kutupārera / Gaer Arm
Bays
Puhiruru / Shoal Cove
Bays
Kaikiekie / Bradshaw Sound
Rivers
Camelot River
Environmental setting
Temperate marine and coastal classifications across mixed relief terrain
Environmental Setting and Classifications for Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve
Stored landscape features, habitat types, and dominant water attributes frame the physical environment of Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve through complementary regional categories. Recorded classifications connect directly to relevant atlas destinations for year round geographical exploration.
- Relief
- Mixed relief
- Climate
- Temperate
- Water
- Water-dominated
- Seasonality
- Year-round
Landscape features
Coast · Cliffs · Reefs · Rivers · Valleys
Habitat types
Marine habitat · Coastal habitat · Riverine habitat
Park atlas
Discover adjacent marine reserves and regional protected landscapes across the South Island
Explore Protected Areas and Parks Near Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve
Compare Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve with neighboring coastal habitats, fiord ecosystems, and regional protected areas. Expanding the geographic scope reveals broader patterns of marine conservation and rugged mountain terrain across the surrounding region.
National parkSouthland Region
Park boundaries overlap#1 closest
East
Fiordland National Park
Explore its vast boundaries and unique temperate rainforest.
Glacially carved fiords, including Milford Sound, meet alpine peaks and temperate rainforests in New Zealand's Southland region.
- Area
- 12,607 km²
- Established
- 1952
- IUCN
- II
- Visitors
- 500K annual
Marine protected areaFiordland
10 km away#2 closest
South
Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island) Marine Reserve: Fiordland Marine Landscape and Atlas Map
Protected marine terrain and glacial fjord geography
Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island) Marine Reserve is a protected marine area situated within the complex fjord network of Doubtful Sound. The reserve is characterized by steep underwater rock walls, deep kelp forests, and a unique freshwater cap that allows rare corals and glass sponges to thrive at shallow depths. This geographic overview examines the reserve's protected status and its structural role within the broader Fiordland ecosystem, highlighting the vertical aquatic terrain and surrounding islet environments.
- Area
- 6.13 km²
- Established
- 2005
- Relief
- Lowland
- Climate
- Temperate
Marine protected areaFiordland
14 km away#3 closest
North
Kahukura (Gold Arm) Marine Reserve: Marine Protected Area and Fiordland Geographic Atlas
Submerged rocky reefs and vertical rock wall landscapes
Located in the heart of New Zealand, Kahukura (Gold Arm) Marine Reserve provides a vital map of protected coastal terrain. Its unique environment features freshwater caps, tannin-stained deep water, and diverse marine topography ranging from sheltered basin ecosystems to vertical cliff structures. This marine area offers deep insight into the complex geology and conservation dynamics of the Fiordland region.
- Area
- 4.64 km²
- Established
- 2005
- Relief
- Mixed relief
- Climate
- Temperate
Marine protected areaFiordland
35 km away#4 closest
Southwest
Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm) Marine Reserve: Mapped Protected Landscapes in Fiordland
Exploring unique fiord stratification and dense marine coral habitats
Located in the remote southwestern reaches of New Zealand, Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm) Marine Reserve preserves a complete fiord system. The area is notable for its exceptional physical conditions, including high black coral density and a distinct freshwater surface layer that sustains diverse underwater communities across steep rock walls, reefs, and deep basins.
- Area
- 20.07 km²
- Established
- 2005
- Relief
- Lowland
- Climate
- Temperate
Marine protected areaFiordland
58 km away#5 closest
Northeast
Hawea (Clio Rocks) Marine Reserve: Protected Marine Geography in Fiordland, New Zealand
Mapping vertical rock walls and stratified fiord water ecosystems.
Hawea (Clio Rocks) Marine Reserve is an ecologically significant marine protected area situated within the deep waters of Hāwea / Bligh Sound. The reserve is defined by its dramatic vertical rock walls, tidal current channels, and the complex water stratification that sustains diverse black coral and reef communities. It offers a unique window into the geological and marine processes that have shaped the rugged coastal landscape of New Zealand's Fiordland.
- Area
- 4.11 km²
- Established
- 2005
- IUCN
- Ia
- Relief
- Mountain
Marine protected areaFiordland
91 km away#6 closest
Northeast
Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve: Mapped Protected Area and Fiord Geography
A signature marine landscape within New Zealand's Fiordland region.
Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve protects a distinct underwater environment characterized by dramatic vertical rock walls and deep basins. By examining the geographic boundaries and oceanographic layering of this Fiordland site, users can better understand the interplay between the steep forested cliffs above and the thriving coral and marine wildlife habitats below the surface.
- Area
- 6.9 km²
- Established
- 1993
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
National parkOtago
100 km away#7 closest
Northeast
Mount Aspiring National Park
Explore the U-shaped valleys and mapped boundaries of this iconic national park.
Mount Aspiring National Park, in Otago, New Zealand. Landscapes: mountains, valleys, and glaciers.
- Area
- 3,562 km²
- Established
- 1964
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Mountain
National parkNew Zealand
159 km away#8 closest
South
Rakiura National Park: New Zealand's Remote Protected Wilderness & Landscape Atlas
Explore its rugged terrain and unique subantarctic ecosystem.
Rakiura National Park encompasses the majority of Stewart Island, offering a unique glimpse into one of New Zealand's most remote and undisturbed natural environments. This protected landscape features rugged forested hills, extensive coastlines with isolated beaches, and is globally recognized for its abundant kiwi populations. Discover the park's geographic setting and its significance as a protected area for both wildlife and cultural heritage within the broader atlas of New Zealand's natural wonders.
- Area
- 1,399.6 km²
- Established
- 2002
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Lowland
MoriAtlas Explorer
Explore the Marine Geography of Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve
Deepen your understanding of New Zealand's protected coastal zones by examining the specific underwater terrain of Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve. Use MoriAtlas to trace the mapped boundaries, stratified water columns, and mountain-framed coastal features of this critical Fiordland marine protected area, enhancing your knowledge of southern regional geography and its unique aquatic wilderness.
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