| Whangateau Harbour | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Auckland Region, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 36°19′34″S174°46′05″E / 36.3261°S 174.7681°E /-36.3261; 174.7681 (Whangateau Harbour) |
| River sources | Birdsalls Stream, Coxhead Creek,Ōmaha River, Tamahunga Stream, Waikokopu Creek |
| Ocean/sea sources | Pacific Ocean |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Max. length | 6.3 km (3.9 mi) |
| Max. width | 1.9 km (1.2 mi) |
| Surface area | 750 ha (1,900 acres)[1] |
| Islands | Horseshoe Island |
| Settlements | Big Ōmaha,Ōmaha,Point Wells,Ti Point, Tramcar Bay,Whangateau |
 | |
TheWhangateau Harbour is a naturalharbour inNew Zealand. It is a sandspit estuary, located on the north-eastern coast of theAuckland Region north-east ofMatakana, and empties into theHauraki Gulf. Due to the harbour's high quality water and dense shellfish beds (primarilypipi), the harbour is a popular spot for shellfish gathering.
The Whangateau Harbour is a sandspit estuary, separated from Ōmaha Bay by a sandspit, where the town ofŌmaha is located. The modern harbour formed during theHolocene, after the formation of the sandspit.[1] Horseshoe Island is an exposed sand-bar located in the centre of the harbour.[1]
The Whangateau Harbour has almost complete tidal flushing, meaning it has some of the best water quality for a harbour in New Zealand.[1]
The harbour has a wide range of intertidal and subtidal reefs, supporting a wide range of benthic wildlife. High numbers ofScutus breviculus, octopuses andAustralasian sea cucumbers live in the estuary. The harbour has dense beds of shellfish, primarily pipi (Paphies australis).[1] The Harbour is made up ofmangals composed of trees rather than bushes. There are a number of different types ofalgae, which houseisopoda andamphipoda. It is also home to thetunnelling mud crab and different types ofoyster.[2]
The harbour is a popular spot to collect shellfish.[1] It has been well-studied, due to the harbour's close location to theLeigh Marine Laboratory.[1] In 2009, the area experienced a mortality event ofcockles, with an 84% reduction in the large cockle population from the previous year.[3] A further event took place in 2014, with the beds being closed to harvesting while samples were sent to theMinistry for Primary Industries.[4]
The Whangateau Harbour is within the traditionalrohe ofNgāti Manuhiri.[5] The name Whāngateau was a traditionalMāori language name for the harbour, and refers to the strong tidal currents in the estuary.[5] The harbour and surrounding Mahurangi area was first settled in the 14th century byMāori, descendants of theMoekākara,Tainui,Arawa migratory canoes. By the 16th century, theTāmaki Māori who settled in the region begun to be known by the nameNgā Oho.[6] The tribal affiliationNgāti Manuhiri began in the 17th century, and refers to Manuhiri, one of the four sons of theTe Kawerau ā Maki rangatira Maki.[6]
Prior to European settlement, six fortifiedpā defended the harbour, and the harbour (especially the Waikokopu to the south) were an important source ofpipi andtuangi (cockles).[5] The harbour was associated with the kūaka (bar-tailed godwit), which were traditionally harvested in the summer-time.[5]
Ngāti Manuhiri settled the harbour until the late 19th century, however members of Ngāti Manuhiri have returned to the harbour in modern times.[5][6] In the 1850s, land around the harbour was purchased byRanulph Dacre.[7] Between 1942 and 1963, 380,000 cubic metres of sand were mined from the Mangatawhiri Spit, leading to coastal erosion at Omaha.[1] Land use around the harbour intensified in the 1960s, and in the 1970s the Omaha causeway was constructed, creating an east-west bridge between Omaha and Point Wells over the Waikokopu Creek.[1]