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

Puketapu Road End
Number: 48 GPS: 2588472E
6187126N
General description
An area with 30-40 m high lahar cliffs, and boulder and gravel beaches. An important
botanical site in the Department of Conservation Wanganui Conservancy. The area is an old
redoubt site with 1 m x 1 m holes scattered over the rocky outcrop 4 . There is limited access
to the coast north of Puketapu Road due to the very high cliffs between Opunake and
Kaupokonui.
Location
8.5 km south of Opunake.
Land tenure
Site: - Crown Land: Foreshore (administered by the Department of
Conservation)
- Private Land: Maori Reservation
Site access: - District Land: Puketapu Road (ends approximately 700 metres prior to the
coast) and unformed Puketapu Road and esplanade reserve
(administered and vested in the South Taranaki District
Council)
Values
Amenity Moderate
Recreational Moderate - boatshed and ramp carved out of rock face 4
- popular area for surfcasting and diving
- surfing, fishing
Cultural/ High - historic pa of Papakaka Te Rangi & Puketapu redoubt 12
Historical
Ecological/
Scientific
High - area of coastal herbfield towards headland, which is habitat
for moth Notoreas sp 4
- threatened plant site – only site in Taranaki containing
Crassula peduncularis 5
- steep south facing cliff, with remnant of taupata scrub, and
occasional emergent karaka 4
Public access
Poor - An unformed road is located in the vicinity. Private land (Maori Reservation)
exists between the end of road, and the coast and esplanade strip. No legal
access is available to the coastal area south from Puketapu Road.
110