The Taupō Swamp wetland complex is 20 kilometres north of Wellington, between Plimmerton and Pukerua Bay, the swamp is easily seen when travelling on State Highway 1. Approximately 29.7 hectares of the wetland is owned and protected by QEII for the benefit of all New Zealand.

Taupō Swamp was purchased by QEII in 1988 with the help of the Wellington Regional Council, Porirua City Council, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society and local conservation groups.

Taupō Swamp is a nationally representative peat forming wetland (lowland topogenous mire) with a largely intact indigenous vegetation cover. It supports a variety of Threatened and At Risk indigenous plant, bird and fish communities, such as Australasian bittern, Spotless and Marsh Crake, longfin eel and giant kokopu.

It is one of the few wetlands in the Wellington ecological district where the vegetation is largely indigenous. It is also the largest remaining harakeke (flax) wetland in the region. It has been recognised by the Greater Wellington Regional Council as a wetland with outstanding indigenous biodiversity values.

Taupō Swamp is bordered by the Ara Harakeke walkway and a cycleway connecting the seaside settlements of Plimmerton and Pukerua Bay. Entrance to the walkway is just after the weigh bridge on SH1. Parking is available near the entrance.