Nature and Environment

An aquatic playground

Between Bream Tail in the south and Bland Bay in the north, more than 100 bays and beaches beckon.  This coast is watched over by offshore islands dominated by the Poor Knights and Hen and Chickens group, where terrestrial and marine reserves conserve unique flora and fauna, warm tropical currents bring unusual aquatic visitors and the ancient reptilian tuatara survives as a miniature relic of the dinosaur age.

Getting out to the islands you are likely to encounter an array of sea birds, dolphins, surface feeding schools of fish and possibly a pod of whales. Of particular note are the Bullers Shearwater, which breed only on the Poor Knights Islands and rise in their thousands on the bow waves of visiting boats. It is from Tutukaka that daily dive and sightseeing trips leave for the Poor Knights Islands, once described by Jacques Cousteau as one of the World’s top 10 dive sites. Whether exploring underwater caves, photographing rare sponges, swimming with giant stingrays or just snorkeling about in the colourful beauty near the surface, there is a magical quality about diving the Poor knights.

Swimming, body surfing and board-riding are favourites on the open ocean beaches, along with snorkeling and fossicking in the shallows and rock pools.

Fishing is an obvious attraction from both the shore and boats. Charters for fishing, diving and sightseeing are available from the marinas and main boat ramps, but Tutukaka harbour is the main port for a fleet of dive and eco charter vessels and several game fishing boats.

Kayaking is another popular way of getting up close with the coast, from intimate estuary exploration to serious open-sea voyages.

Flora & Fauna 

Along the coast, stands of ancient, gnarled pohutukawa grow strongly whether in rock or sand, their bright crimson flowers enhancing the joy of every Christmas. The kowhai which bloom bright yellow in the early spring are another special treat.

Away from the coast there is plenty more to see and do.  Included in the surviving stands of luxuriant original rainforest are giant kauri trees revered in Maori folklore and much sought after by early European settlers as an incredibly strong, relatively light, straight grained and durable timber. In the 1800s kauri was favoured by the Admiralty for its naval spars and masts and later became even more popular in general boatbuilding.

Most of the flat and easier contoured land has long been put to use in pastoral farming, horticulture and production forestry.  But significant stands of native forest are common on the steeper contours where many are protected as public owned reserves and other privately owned areas are covenanted under the National Trust.

Blessed by a warm climate, reliable rainfall and productive soils, Whangarei grows a bountiful array of quality produce.  From exotic sub tropical fruits to traditional vegetables, avocadoes, kiwifruit and cherimoya.  From prime cuts of beef to succulent venison, the local produce is second to none.

Much of this produce is available at the country’s pioneering “Growers Market”, held every Saturday morning in downtown Whangarei.  Stall holders sell only what they have grown themselves.

These same conditions that provide Whangarei’s amazing fresh produce are readily used to create urban and lifestyle gardens.  From the traditional to sub tropical wonderlands, the people have a passion for their front and back yards.  Flowers, shrubs and trees dominate the city landscape.

Reminders of the past 

The central district is dotted with the conical reminders of long extinct volcanoes, surrounded by sought after volcanic soils.  A by product of this fiery 10,000 years of activity is the districts 156 kilometres of hand made stone walls, dating from the 1850’s.  The stone walls provided robust permanent stock fencing and gave the farmers somewhere to pile the rocks which otherwise littered their paddocks.  In recent years the landscaping trends of modern lifestyle sub-divisions have seen a return to stone wall building.

Throughout the district, you can explore these and other features at a leisurely pace from the many bush and coastal walkways. These range from easy strolls to extreme clambers, and many feature stunning views of harbour and coastline.