Operative Waikato Regional Policy Statement (October 2000)

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3  Significant Resource Management Issues, Objectives, Policies and Methods

3.5  Coast

3.5.2 West Coast

The west coast from the mouth of the Mokau River to north of the Port Waikato Heads consists of long sandy beaches and wave-cut platforms, backed by extensive dunelands in some areas, or steep coastal escarpments in others. It is of historical, spiritual and cultural significance to iwi.

Three extensive harbours (Kawhia, Aotea and Raglan - also known as Whaingaroa) are located along the coast. Tidal flats provide feeding, breeding and roosting sites for a large number of bird species, as well as nurseries for fish and shellfish. While they support large tracts of natural vegetation, the harbour margins are under threat from cattle grazing, reclamation and development. This encroachment into the harbour buffer zone has resulted in coastal erosion, the loss of amenity and landscape values, and the loss of habitat.

Human settlement is concentrated on the larger harbours, river mouths and smaller estuaries. In such areas, on both the east and west coasts, the emission of excessive noise from within the coastal marine area can have adverse effects on amenity values. In more remote areas, the emission of excessive noise can adversely affect conservation values.

The ironsand deposits of the west coast of the North Island are the largest known metalliferous deposits in New Zealand (see Map 5). Ironsand mines are presently operating at Taharoa and the Waikato Heads¹.

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Footnotes

1. See also section 3.14, Minerals.