Tawharanui Regional Park, Auckland Overview

The Tawharanui Regional Park is based in Auckland, New Zealand. The park has distinct parts. First, it has a "mainland island" sanctuary which is essential for conserving native plants and animals. Secondly, there are farmland and also public recreation areas. The park is mainly grazed pasture with Manuka scattered throughout and coastal forest patches. The important coastal forest area is in the central-eastern part of the park, where Kauri and Rimu dominate the ridges.

The mainland island was created by constructing a 2.5 km pest-proof fence across the peninsula in 2004. It was a big project by the standards of those times. This was followed by an aerial drop of poison later in 2004, eliminating black rats, brown rats, feral cats, possums, weasels, stoats and ferrets. Everything that could’ve been proved to be a menace to the regional Park was already sorted out, and the authorities decided to start anew. Introduced pests remaining in the sanctuary are mice, rabbits, and hedgehogs. The Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society Inc. assists Auckland Council with the cover through fundraising and volunteer work. It helps the Park stay functional, recreational, and productive at its core.

Ecology

There have been sixteen species of native land birds which have been recorded in the park, along with 15 species of native coastal birds. The Wetland birds include the Australasian bittern, spotless crake, and fernbird. The Coastal birds include the New Zealand dotterel, blue reef heron, and variable oystercatcher. It remains obvious that the place is a good spot for bird-watching. Swim, surf or snorkel at Anchor Bay, or dive in the Marine Protected area on the north coast. Fishing is not allowed here but is allowed on the south coast and at Jones Bay near the park entrance. If you go swimming you’re bound to find shipwrecks but it’s advised to leave them alone as they’re protected by the law. Tāwharanui Marine Reserve was established in 2011.

The marine reserve replaces the old Tawharanui Marine Park, which was established in 1981 as New Zealand's first Marine Protected Area. It covers approximately 395 hectares and regulations administered by the Ministry of Fisheries prohibit the taking of any marine life.

The diverse coastline contains a range of subtidal habitats, including reefs with overhangs, tunnels, and caves. Schools of red moki, blue maomao, spotty, red mullet and koheru are common. Cetaceans such as bottlenose dolphin and orca or other species also visit the waters nearby

Climate

Since Tawharanui is surrounded by Omaha Bay and Kawau Bay, the climate remains coastal in nature and doesn’t experience many sharp drops. Surely in winters, it gets rainy and then it can create some problems while you’re out on an adventure trail. In summers, the place can get quite warm and the humidity also remains high. The best period to visit the beach would be in the winter and that too with a cross-check of weather forecasts.

How To Reach Tawharanui Regional Park

The Tawharanui Regional Park is located in the Omaha Bay. It’s also adjacent to the Omaha Beach.
The road to Tawharanui heads east from the riverside town of Warkworth off State Highway 1.
The road continues through farmland and ends with a winding gravel section.
Tawharanui Regional Park is about 80 minutes drive north of Auckland.
There is a tent camping site and bookings must be made by contacting the Auckland Regional Council.
This popular site is booked well in advance for the summer holiday months, so it’s advisable to make prior arrangements.