The richness of our lands and waters north of Tāmaki

From Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) all the way to Cape Reinga, the northern reaches of Aotearoa unfold as a beautiful cavalcade of bays, beaches, and harbours.

There are two main routes heading north from Tāmaki. One crosses the Auckland Harbour Bridge from Saint Mary’s Bay or Herne Bay onto the North Shore. The other follows the northwestern motorway, skirting the southern bays of the inner Waitematā before heading toward Kumeū.

The east coast from Tāmaki to the Bay of Islands

The eastern route passes through the small towns of Warkworth and Wellsford. Tāwharanui Regional Park is an exceptionally beautiful bay and a popular camping destination. Nearby Omaha is a long, sweeping beach with a natural harbour at its northern end.

North of Omaha lies Goat Island Marine Reserve, renowned for its clear waters and excellent snorkelling.

Continuing north, the coastline opens to Langs Beach and Waipū Cove. Offshore, the Hen and Chickens Islands rise dramatically from the sea.

Beyond Waipū stretches Bream Bay, a long, continuous beach reaching toward Whangārei. Whangārei Harbour sits just south of the Whangārei Heads.

Past the heads lie Tutukākā and Whananaki, stunning beaches overlooking the Poor Knights Islands, one of New Zealand’s most important marine reserves. Snorkelling and diving here are world-class.

Beyond this point lies the Bay of Islands.

The west coast from Tāmaki to the Bay of Islands

The west coast offers a dramatically different landscape. The western slopes of the Waitākere Ranges descend into wild black-sand beaches with powerful surf.

Beginning at Whatipū on the northern edge of the Manukau Harbour, the coastline continues through Karekare, Piha, White’s Beach, Anawhata, Bethells Beach and Muriwai. Muriwai is home to a large seasonal gannet colony nesting on the coastal cliffs.

North of the Waitākere Ranges lies the vast Kaipara Harbour. While quiet today, it was once an important settlement area for both Māori and early European communities.

The Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands on the east coast was the site of New Zealand’s largest early European settlement. These settlers had significant interaction with Ngāpuhi, the northern Māori iwi.

Key historical locations include Waitangi, where Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed on 6 February 1840, and Russell, once infamous as a lawless port frequented by sailors and whalers.

The far north

On the western side of the island lies Hokianga Harbour, a place of deep spiritual importance to Māori. It has a small permanent settlement at Rawene, vast sand dunes along its northern shores, and forested hills to the south.

North of Kerikeri are secluded eastern bays such as Matauri Bay and Mangōnui, offering clear water and quiet beauty.

Beyond Kaitaia, the land narrows and the atmosphere shifts. Henderson Bay and Rarawa Beach are known for their white sand and near-perfect waves.

At the very tip of Aotearoa lies Te Rerenga Wairua. On the east is Tapotupotu Beach; on the west, Cape Maria van Diemen. Cape Reinga marks the northernmost point of the New Zealand mainland.

A lone pōhutukawa grows from the cliffs below the lighthouse. It is said that the spirits of the dead pass through this tree on their journey back to Hawaiki. To the west stretches Ninety-Mile Beach, long and elemental.

Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua
As people disappear from sight, the land remains.