.LynEve

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This was taken 10 minutes before my post of yesterday. Ōamaru Harbour is New Zealand's only surviving authentic Victorian/Edwardian deepwater port. Sumpter Wharf (completed in 1884) once saw the biggest oceangoing freighters between New Zealand and Britain. The breakwater behind was created at the same time, before which there were many shipwrecks. The port closed to shipping in 1974 and now the wharf is home to one of the largest Matapo (Otago Shag, our only endemic seabird) breeding colonies in the lower South Island. Because 50% of the whole population breed here it is a protected ecological area. The Matapo share the wharf with the more common Spotted Shag, and further round, where the seals gather, is our Little Blue Penguin colony. The wharf is disintegrating and there are those that want it destroyed. I am not one of them.T he wharf is safe for the birds, but not humans. We used to be able to walk along the breakwater when the sea was calm but sadly Health & Safety put a stop to that, and those invigorating walks are just a memory now. However, the Fur Seals have taken advantage of it and enjoy its safety from camera wielding humans ! :)