Waipārera / Waituna Lagoon is a large, brackish coastal lagoon located approximately 40 kilometers east of Invercargill in Southland, New Zealand. It forms a significant part of the 20,000-hectare Awarua Waituna Wetland catchment, a region valued for its ecological importance and recreational opportunities. The lagoon is fed by three creeks and drains to the sea through a managed opening, which is initially used for fish passage. This unique environment, where freshwater mixes with seawater, creates a diverse habitat supporting a range of fish species and making it a destination for trout fishing and bird watching.