Waders are found in many areas of New Zealand, in the shallow protected coastal waters of estuaries and harbours but also inland, especially along the beds of the South Island's braided rivers. In spring, migrations bring large numbers of waders to New Zealand from their arctic breeding grounds. Others migrate between the North and South Islands. Places such as Miranda on the Firth of Thames, Farewell Spit, and Waituna are of international significance, and several others provide excellent opportunities to watch large congregations of such birds.

REGION: AUCKLAND
Manukau Harbour: After Miranda (see below), the flats of Mangere sewage ponds are the best location in the Auckland region to observe waders. Because of the 3 hour tidal difference between Miranda and the Manukau Harbour, many of the birds are able to feed on both.
Miranda: Up to 40,000 birds, 60 species recorded, of which 24 are waders. Arctic migrants are present from September to April. Wrybills in winter. Large flocks of South Island oystercatchers from January to July.

REGION: WAIKATO
Raglan Harbour
Kawhia Harbour

REGION: WELLINGTON
Pauatahanui Inlet:

REGION: MARLBOROUGH
Lake Grassmere: Albatross, mollymawks

REGION: NELSON
Farewell Spit: In summer tens of thousands of birds including bar-tailed godwits, knots, Mongolian dotterels, wrybills, long-billed curlews, little whimbrels, turnstones, grey-tailed tattlers, and others.

REGION: CANTERBURY
Lake Ellesmere: A coastal wetland and lake covering 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres), with water depth up to 3.6 metres (12'). Waders include South Island oystercatchers, pied stilts, godwits.
Twizel: The black stilt, endemic to and once common throughout New Zealand, now critically endangered and restricted to the braided rivers and wetlands of the Mackenzie Basin.

REGION: SOUTHLAND
Waituna Lagoon: Northern hemisphere migratory waders. Access difficult, easier at Awarua Bay.