Inventory of coastal areas of local or regional significance in the ...
Inventory of coastal areas of local or regional significance in the ...
Inventory of coastal areas of local or regional significance in the ...
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Stony River<br />
Number: 35 GPS: 2580855E<br />
6225589N<br />
General description<br />
The Stony River (Hangatahua) is <strong>the</strong> most undisturbed river <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> region. Large sand<br />
deposits from <strong>the</strong> river f<strong>or</strong>m <strong>the</strong> beach, which changes constantly due to st<strong>or</strong>ms. This is a top<br />
surf<strong>in</strong>g location with many <strong>of</strong>fsh<strong>or</strong>e reefs.<br />
Location<br />
4.5 km west <strong>of</strong> Okato.<br />
Land tenure<br />
Site: - Crown Land: F<strong>or</strong>esh<strong>or</strong>e (adm<strong>in</strong>istered by <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Conservation)<br />
Site access: - Crown Land: Okato Coast Marg<strong>in</strong>al strip (from Tataraimaka Pa to Stony<br />
River Mouth) (adm<strong>in</strong>istered by <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Conservation<br />
- District Land: on <strong>the</strong> right bank; Kaihihi Road, Brophy Road, unf<strong>or</strong>med<br />
Brophy Road and unf<strong>or</strong>med Coast Road (adm<strong>in</strong>istered and<br />
vested <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> New Plymouth District Council)<br />
Values<br />
Amenity High - <strong>regional</strong>ly imp<strong>or</strong>tant amenity values 1 , and a <strong>regional</strong>ly<br />
significant landscape 3<br />
Recreational High - ‘Kumara Patch’ – considered one <strong>of</strong> best surf<strong>in</strong>g spots <strong>in</strong><br />
Australasia, and o<strong>the</strong>r surf breaks 4<br />
Cultural/<br />
Hist<strong>or</strong>ical<br />
Ecological/<br />
Scientific<br />
- popular f<strong>or</strong> fish<strong>in</strong>g and walk<strong>in</strong>g, but access limits use<br />
High - cook<strong>in</strong>g site, ka<strong>in</strong>ga, and many Pa sites 3<br />
- two shipwrecks <strong>of</strong>fsh<strong>or</strong>e, <strong>the</strong> “Marchioness” (1864) and <strong>the</strong><br />
“Ottawa” (1877)<br />
High - significant natural area 3<br />
- pri<strong>or</strong>ity water body 3<br />
Public access<br />
Excellent - The unf<strong>or</strong>med section <strong>of</strong> Kaihihi Road is fenced <strong>of</strong>f from <strong>the</strong> adjacent<br />
farmland and a vehicular track is provided to approximately 30 m from <strong>the</strong><br />
coast. New Plymouth District Council have recently purchased <strong>the</strong> section <strong>of</strong><br />
land from Kaihihi Road adjo<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> coast. Hist<strong>or</strong>ically 4WD vehicular access<br />
was provided to <strong>the</strong> beach however this has now been prevented. The ma<strong>in</strong><br />
access route was hist<strong>or</strong>ically via unf<strong>or</strong>med Brophy Road and down a private<br />
farm track. This route was widely known and used however no f<strong>or</strong>mal<br />
agreements were obta<strong>in</strong>ed and <strong>the</strong> route is now closed. Access can be<br />
obta<strong>in</strong>ed via unf<strong>or</strong>med Brophy Road and along <strong>the</strong> Stony River. Unf<strong>or</strong>med<br />
Coast Road runs parallel to <strong>the</strong> coast. The Kumera Patch is situated on <strong>the</strong><br />
n<strong>or</strong><strong>the</strong>rn flank <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Stony River mouth delta.<br />
84
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