Tapuarau Lagoon is a small coastal lagoon located in the South Taranaki District, near the mouth of the Waitotara River. It is part of a larger coastal wetland area of significance to Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi. The lagoon is a source for several native fish species, including tuna (eels), flounder, mullet, whitebait, and inanga. The surrounding area consists of wetlands, and the lagoon itself is subject to flooding events. An Australasian Bittern, a threatened wetland bird, has been recorded foraging in the wetlands at the lagoon. The area has been the subject of management activities, including weed and rabbit control. A complaint regarding alleged drainage of the lagoon was recorded in late 2023. For paddlers, this indicates a shallow, tidal, and ecologically sensitive environment. The proximity to the Waitotara River mouth suggests that tidal currents and wind exposure from the Tasman Sea could be significant factors, and access is likely via unsealed roads like Hawken Road near Waverley. There are no indicated facilities for paddlers. The overall character is that of a remote, natural coastal lagoon within a working agricultural and wetland landscape.