Volume Three Appendix 1 8. Whangarae Inlet and Okiwi Bay Perceptual - Impressive sequence of rugged, exposed ba ys. Values Impressive enclosing headlands of Symonds Hill and Goat Hill to Okiwi Bay. - - Visually dramatic headland of Cape Soucis/Raetihi demarcates south-western boundary between Marlborough and Nelson. - High levels of naturalness due to limited modification. Associative - Sheltered bay notable for holiday and recreational pursuits. Values Overview Based on the above values, Whangarae Inlet and Okiwi Bay have been identified as ONF's due to their exceptional biophysical and associative landscape values and very high sensory landscape values. The southern shores of Croisilles Harbour have a number of identifiable features. The exposed, prominent rugged headland of Cape Soucis/Raetihi forms Marlborough's south- western extent, whilst the impressive enclosing headlands of Clock Point Hill, Goat Hill and Symonds Hill enclose Whangarae Bay and Estuary and Okiwi Bay. The Okiwi Bay bach settlement is the main area of settlement in Croisilles Harbour, and popular as a haven for recreational activities including diving, watersports and fishing in the sheltered waters of the harbour and beyond. The forested ridges of the northern Rai River catchment form a mountainous fringe to this area, extending southwards from the Whangarae Estuary and Okiwi Bay to North Castor Peak at the end of the Bryant Range and Elliott Peak at the end of the Bull Range. Intact upland vegetation is evident on the slopes above Okiwi Bay, and a finger of this extends to the coast near Taiwhati Point. Despite a history of land clearance and farming around its margins, Whangarae Estuary is an excellent example, in the context of Marlborough, of a relatively unmodified estuary. The only spit-formed estuary in the Marlborough Sounds, Whangarae Estuary is a habitat for several regionally rare birds including banded rail and fern bird. Outside of the estuary, the Croisilles Harbour marine environment supports a unique shallow sand community notable for the presence of the New Zealand lancelet (the southern-most population of this patchily distributed species). Modifications include: cleared vegetation; tracks; forestry; roads; buildings; a jetty; marine farms; and limited moorings. 9. Tennyson Inlet and Northern Nydia Bay Biophysical - Nationally significant intertidal and subtidal areas - wetlands habitat. Values Nationally significant broad leaf/beech forest and bird habitat. - - Very high degree of coastal natural character along the majority of Tennyson Inlet. - Nationally significant vegetation flanking the northern side of Nydia Bay. - Nationally threatened plants on Tennyson Inlet islands (Tawhitinui Island, Awaiti Island and Tarakapia Island). - Tennyson Inlet and Nydia Bay support some of the largest tracts of lowland coastal forests in Marlborough. Na tionally importa nt altitudinal sequences of primary forest from ridgetop to sea floor. - The majority of Tennyson Inlet and northern Nydia Bay hold outstanding levels of natural character due to the exceptional tract of unmodified indigenous forest from ridgetops to seafloor. App 1 - 9