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

Patea Beach and River Mouth
Number: 62 GPS: 2637226E
6158364N
General description
The Patea River mouth area has been extensively modified due to the construction of
wharves when a port operated in the area, groynes and seawalls. The area is popular for
recreation and includes a campground. The area is part of the South Taranaki uplifted
marine terraces that forms a 20 km wide coastal strip from Hawera to Wanganui, and which
represents NZ’s most complete sequence of uplifted marine terraces. Sand margins of the
tidal river have little native vegetation, but nearby sand dunes have a small patch of pingao.
There are unbroken vegetation sequences from estuary to cliff-face, and areas of tidal
saltmarsh, backed by steep mudstone cliffs. 4 The area is spiritually valuable for the Nga
Rauri Iwi.
Location
1 km south of Patea township.
Land tenure
Site: - Crown Land: Estuary and foreshore (administered by the Department of
Conservation)
Site access: - Crown Land: Patea Coast marginal strip (administered by the
Department of Conservation)
- District Land: Harbour Endowment (Golf Club), recreation reserve,
District Council owned land (public toilets, and beach
pavilion), Taranaki Road and unformed Pilot Station Road
(administered and vested by the South Taranaki District
Council)
Values
Amenity Moderate - highly modified, but with high landscape values 5
Recreational High - camping, fishing, surfing, and golf 4
Cultural/ High - two redoubts 4
Historical
Ecological/
Scientific
High - threatened plants – Pingao on dunes and taupata at base of
cliffs (Coprosma repens) 14
- drowned forest 4
- part of South Taranaki uplifted marine terraces 4
- used by wading and coastal birds 4
Public access
Excellent - The beach is signposted from the main road, with access to the right bank via
Taranaki Road, through Patea township. There is a car park, playground,
toilets, and a riverside walkway. Access to the right bank can also be via
unformed Pilot Station Road.
138