Inventory of coastal areas of local or regional significance in the ...

Kina Road and Oaonui Beach
Number: 42 GPS: 2578035E
6200104N
General description
A wide sandy beach and sand dunes. This is one of the few significant areas of coastal dunes
that still exists in Taranaki. The dunes cover an area of approximately 35 hectares, and are
approximately 1.5 km long 14 . The dune is relatively unstable, prone to wind erosion, and
eroding inland. Some pingao exists on the dune but mainly marram and spinifex. This area
5, 4
has had several sand stabilisation schemes, with the main area now retired from grazing.
The area is a popular surfing area.
Location
8 km north of Opunake.
Land tenure
Site: - Crown Land: Foreshore (administered by the Department of
Conservation)
Site access: - Crown Land: Recreation Reserve (administered by the Department of
Conservation)
- District Land - Esplanade strip (adjacent to Oaoiti Stream), esplanade
reserve and Lower Kina Road (administered by the South
Taranaki District Council)
Values
Amenity High - significant natural area 12
- high natural and aesthetic values, largely unmodified 4
- regionally important amenity values (Kina Road reef) 1
Recreational Moderate - internationally renowned for surfing & windsurfing 4
Cultural/
Historical
Ecological/
Scientific
High - several pa and occupation sites, and a spiritually significant
site located at Oaonui 4
- shipwreck ‘Northern Monarch’ lies offshore 4
High - regionally significant dunefield 4
- breeding location of New Zealand Dotteral and Banded
Dotteral 2
- important wildlife habitat 14 : black backed gull colony, and
green gecko in surrounding scrublands 4
Public access
Good - The surfing break is signposted on State Highway 45. Access to the coast is
via the beach from Kina Road.
98