Coastal development is now the main pressure affecting the natural character of the Waikato Region’s coast. It is particularly significant on the Coromandel Peninsula. Most of the west coast is still undeveloped.
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East coast development
The eastern Coromandel Peninsula has been extensively developed, particularly near beaches and estuaries. Many of these areas have lost much of their natural character.
Subdivision has reduced most beaches to relatively small systems with limited sand reserves – typically less than 50 metres wide and often consisting of only a single foredune. This leaves only a narrow area of undeveloped dune as a buffer from the sea, reducing the protection from erosion and flooding by the sea.
Over 70 percent of the Coromandel beaches and dunes now have houses on them. Many of these are holiday homes. Pressure for subdivisions, marinas and other developments is increasing around the main East Coast estuaries. Statistics New Zealand forecast a population increase of 11 to 30 percent for the Thames-Coromandel District between 2001–2021.1 Find out more about the population of Thames-Coromandel District.
Ongoing subdivision pressures are likely to threaten most of the remaining undeveloped Coromandel beaches and will intensify at existing settlements. For example, New Chums Beach and Kereta, two outstanding undeveloped beach areas, have been sold for development.
Waikawau and Otama Beaches on the Coromandel Peninsula are two of the few sites that are protected from coastal development.
West coast development
Most of the West Coast is still undeveloped, though small to moderately sized settlements occur on the major estuaries (such as Raglan, Kawhia and Awakino). Find out more about the populations of the major towns in our West Coast in the Waikato and Otorohanga districts.
Development and landforms
The table below shows the extent of development along the Waikato coast.
| Landform |
West Coast |
East Coast |
| Open coast beaches |
Isolated and relatively small settlements, such as Port Waikato and Mokau. |
65 percent of all sandy beaches subdivided or partially subdivided.
Subdivision close to the shoreline at many beaches over the past 30 to 40 years. |
| Estuaries |
Small to moderate sized settlements near the entrance of all major estuaries (such as Raglan, Aotea and Kawhia). |
All major eastern Coromandel Peninsula estuaries have adjacent settlements.
Scattered houses and lifestyle blocks around estuary margins.
West Coast Coromandel Peninsula is less developed; though only Te Kouma Harbour is largely undeveloped. |
| Rocky and Cliffed Coasts |
Some smaller settlements around Kawhia Harbour such as Te Maika and Te Waitere.
Largely undeveloped. |
Largely undeveloped, particularly in northern Coromandel Peninsula. |
Managing coastal development
District councils are responsible for managing most activities above the mean high water springs, this includes most coastal development.
Our Regional Policy Statement and Regional Coastal Plan include policies to protect the coastal marine area from inappropriate subdivision, use and development.
Find out more about Coastal Hazards in the Waikato region.
Footnotes
- Data source:Statistics New Zealand, 2002 (copyright - information obtained from Statistics New Zealand may be freely used, reproduced, or quoted unless otherwise specified).