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Press, 11 August 1982, Page 36

Slightly shorter, the cliff top walk also leads, right round the tip Of the peninsula, with, panoramic views of the coastline beneath and beyond. >

Between these two walks, at East Head, is a track price used by whalers to reach the highest point of the peninsula,: a vantage point from which to survey the coastal waters.

The 20 minute South Bay to Kaikoura walk provides quick, easy access between the two and passes through Nga Niho Pa, a fine example of a terrace edge pa, with complete defensive earthworks built in the 1820 s. The Kaikoura Peninsula juts out from the shadow of the Kaikoura Ranges as a plateau of open farmland edged by high cliffs. Below them, the shore has gravel beaches and intertidal limestone and mudstone platforms.

Once an island, the peninsula has been linked to the mainland by the gradual accumulation of silt, sand, stones and mud.

Considered an important wildlife habitat,, the area is rich in birds, seals and other marine life..

Sub-tropical and subantarctic ocean currents converge here, supplying many plant , and animal species from both environments, including aTarge, over-winter-ing colony of New Zealand fur seals which occupy several reefs around the peninsula.

In spring the seals are joined, by large breeding colonies of red-billed and » black-backed gulls and some white-fronted terns which nest on the flatter stacks and boulder beaches.,

The tidal platforms are popular feeding spots for wading birds, particularly tufnstones, oystercatchers and herons, and the small

lagoon east of Armers Beach beyond the old wharf is a favourite place for stilts, dotterels and ducks.