[3] The reserve is situated alongside Westland Tai Poutini National Park and Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area.

[3] The reserve was one of five recommended by a forum of Ngāi Tahu, commercial and recreational fishers, conservationists, tourism operators and local councils in 2012.

[6][7] In April 2019, Forest and Bird asked the Ministry for the Environment to support Westland District Council in cleaning up a large rubbish spill,[8] including potentially toxic waste.

Permitted activities include riding quad bikes and horses, and collecting a small amount of shells, stones, driftwood, sand and gravel.

[3] The reserve covers a protected zone where calm wetland, lagoons and coastal seas have created five different kinds of habitats.