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

Kakaramea Beach
Number: 61 GPS: 2631600E
6162700N
General description
A coastal area with 25 m high cliffs with a series of ‘fingers’ that extend out to sea which are
approximately 50 m long and 10-15 m across, with bays in between. There are native
herbfields found on the cliff faces and in boggy areas on the cliff tops. Also within this area
was the site of one of the first hydroelectric power stations established in New Zealand.
Water spilt over the cliffs to a powerhouse at the base. The station was destroyed in the early
1920’s when the dam at the top of the cliffs gave way. 4
Location
20 km south of Hawera and 5 km north of Patea.
Land tenure
Site: - Crown Land: Foreshore (administered by the Department of
Conservation)
- Private Land
Site access: - Crown Land: Marginal strip (administered by the Department of
Conservation)
- District Land: Powerhouse Road, unformed Powerhouse Road and
unformed Manawapou Road (administered and vested in
the South Taranaki District Council)
- Private Land: No access provided
Values
Amenity Moderate
Recreational Moderate - recreational fishing from the cliff tops 4
Cultural/ High - the site of one of the first hydro-electric stations established
Historical
Ecological/
Scientific
in New Zealand 4
Moderate - herbfield, and Black-backed gull colony
Public access
Poor - A paper road exists from the end of Powerhouse Road which connects to the
marginal strip along the coast. Pine trees are growing on the unformed road
and the location of the unformed road is unclear.
136
4 5