Image: Samara Nicolas | ©
Instructor and school children in water.
Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve

Located in the Northland region

The marine environment in the Whangārei Harbour is of distinctive quality, and two marine areas are set aside for protection around Motukaroro (Passage) Island and at Waikaraka.

The marine reserve was established in 2006 and is 236 hectares.

Whangārei Harbour is located on Northland's east coast, about 160 km north of Auckland.

You can access Waikaraka Reserve directly from the small Council reserve located off the Whangārei Heads Road at Waikaraka. 

Motukaroro Reserve is located at Reotahi. Turn onto Reotahi Road which is at the southern end of McLeod Bay, Whangārei Heads. Continue down Reotahi Road onto Beach Road. The car park is located at the end of Beach Road from which point you can walk down to the reserve.

Boat launching ramps are located at Onerahi, Parua Bay, Tamaterau, Reotahi, Urquhart Bay and across the harbour at Marsden Point, Marsden Bay and One Tree Point.

There are strong tidal currents and back eddies around Motukaroro. It is more suitable for experienced divers.

Kayaking at Waikaraka should be done at high tide.

With the implementation of the reserve if a contaminant is being discharged within or into the marine reserve, the discharge of the contaminant may continue provided there is compliance with all other legal requirements.

Existing structures may remain and be maintained within the reserve. 

This reserve covers two sites – Waikaraka, and Motukaroro/Passage Island at Reotahi. Waikaraka is one of New Zealand’s richest mangrove environments and attracts abundant birdlife. Motukaroro covers reef and sandy seabed habitats. It is notable for its diverse sea sponge populations.

Waikaraka

The 227.5ha marine area at Waikaraka is almost entirely mangrove forest with associated intertidal mud flats and a subtidal channel edge. Being one of nature’s most highly productive zones, the gentle flowing waters and mud surrounding mangrove roots are home and nursery to many organisms - fish and shellfish as well as crabs, worms and shrimps.

Fish like snapper, trevally, kahawai, kingfish and mackerel spend important parts of their lives among mangroves, so the protection of marine reserve status here supports the fish population throughout the harbour. The Waikaraka mangroves also provide habitat for over 80 species of birdlife, some very rare.

Waikaraka poster (PDF, 1,164K)

Motukaroro

One of the special features of this 26.2 ha reserve is the abundance and diversity of the marine life in the waters around Motukaroro Island. The combination of deeper water and swift current flows has produced a diverse assemblage of reef-fish quite unique in a harbour environment.

The surrounding seabed is rocky, with large areas of kelp providing a haven and feeding ground for an unusually high variety of fish.

On the westward point of the island there is a large fragile environment of filter feeders, including anemones and sponges, whose brilliant colours are stunning and provide a spectacular dive.

Motukaroro poster (PDF, 1,702K)

Reporting pests

Find-A-Pest lets you report potential pest species, including marine, plant, animal and fungal species.

If you come across something out of the ordinary, upload a picture to the app and a specialist will help identify it. If it's a biosecurity threat, this will be forwarded to Biosecurity New Zealand. If possible, take photos and record the location and name of the vessel.

Or call the Ministry for Primary Industries' Pest and Diseases hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

Help stop the spread of exotic caulerpa 

Keep an eye out for exotic caulerpa seaweed species and report suspected sightings to MPI. Ensure your boat and gear are free of any seaweed before moving locations.

Report illegal or suspicious activity

Don't take, disturb, kill or damage anything within the reserve - it's illegal. If you see people taking anything from the reserve, report the activity as soon as possible.

You can call 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224) or 0800 DOCHOT (0800 362 468).

It is also an offence to pollute or litter the reserve, discharge any firearm in or into the reserve or erect any structure in the reserve.

Students at nearby Kamo High School applied for the reserve using their own research, funds, and consultation with the community. The process took 16 years (1990-2006), with thousands of students contributing during that time.

This achievement may be unique in the world and is an outstanding example of community-driven conservation.