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New Zealand's Hakatere Conservation Park is home to a unique geological wonder, the Ashburton River. The streaming body of water is one of the only braided rivers in the world. When you choose New Zealand for your next locum assignment, be sure to visit the one-of-a-kind national river.
Braided rivers need mountainous, glaciated terrain with a plentiful supply of gravel to form. Essentially, it is a large channel that possesses a network of smaller rivers in its parameters, separated by small masses of land. Many unique plants and wildlife live among these areas, particularly aquatic birdlife. About 40,000 birds can be present at any time around the main braided rivers of New Zealand, providing homes for some of the most threatened birds, including the endemic wrybill, black-fronted tern and black-billed gull.
Also unique to the wildlife park are the plants inhabiting the region. Among the thick, grassy areas surrounding the braided Ashburton River are ground orchids in soft lavender and bold violet hues, along with the more uncommon Hebe pimelioides. Many of these plant species are important food sources for native butterflies, so the maintenance of every aspect of the park's ecosystem is crucial to keeping each species alive.
Whether you wish to spend the day birdwatching, hiking, or touring the more famous film sites of the region—parts of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy were filmed in this area—Hakatere Park is a must-see New Zealand spot.