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

Whitecliffs (Parininihi)
Number: 8 GPS: 2644240E
6258259N
General description
Huge white cliffs (reaching up to 200 metres high) along a 7 km stretch of coastline. At high
tide the area is inaccessible. During low tide the area is accessible via the beach and inland
Whitecliffs Walkway. A small sand dune of national importance is located at the mouth of
the Waipingau Stream 4 . The dune is approximately 8 metres high and contains a population
of Pingao.
Location
6 km south of Tongaporutu and 2 km north of Pukearuhe.
Land tenure
Site: - Crown Land: Foreshore and Whitecliffs Conservation Area (state forest –
856 ha with 32 ha in grazing and occupation licences –
administrated by the Department of Conservation)
- District Land: Unformed Clifton Road (vested in the New Plymouth
District Council)
Site access: - The Whitecliffs Walkway (9.6 km long) follows a pipeline corridor,
unformed road and beach. The walkway is on a combination of land
administered by the New Plymouth District Council, Department of
Conservation and privately owned.
Values
Amenity High - outstanding natural landscape, and within an area of
outstanding coastal value 1
- regionally significant landmark, and landscape 3
Recreational Moderate - recreational fishing, walking, and surfing (at northern end)
Cultural/
Historical
Ecological/
Scientific
High - pa sites, and terraces, ovens and pits 3
- ‘hand-dug’ Te Horo stock tunnel and a well known preeuropean
pathway 4
High - geologically important ‘B’ rating on geopreservation inventory 4
- best remaining examples of primary coastal hardwood and
podocarp hardwood forest on the west coast of the North Island 4
- fluttering shearwaters breed on the cliffs and blue penguins
burrow near stream mouths 1
- sand dunes at Waipingau Stream are a threatened plant site
(Pingao – Desmoscheonus spiralis) 4
- land adjoining the whitecliffs is a significant natural area 3
Public access
Good - Access to the walkway via Clifton Road in Tongaporutu to the north, and
Pukearhue Road in the south. The route is signposted with an option to use
the inland track or beach. Access via the beach is two hours either side of low
tide. The inland route is closed during the lambing season.
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