West Coast Marine and Coastal Localities:
a Detailed Description of 14 Segments
5.2 Kahurangi
(Kahurangi Point – Kohaihai Bluff, 40 km)
5.1.1 Summary
The Kahurangi segment has a mostly rocky coastline adjoining forested slopes
of Kahurangi National Park. The seabed is mostly of a uniform shelf grading
out to fine sediments, but with a variety of inshore beaches and rocky reefs
and the Kahurangi Shoals in the north. The area generally supports marine
life that is typical of such habitats in the Buller district, but with some
more northern influences. Access to and use of this remote and relatively
unmodified area is mostly by commercial fishing vessels, helicopters and
trampers on the coastal section of the Heaphy Track.
Notable features include: its relatively unmodified coastal forest and dune
communities, coastal wildlife, wilderness landscapes, protected catchments,
diverse marine habitats, cultural and archaeological heritage and variety
of recreational and commercial uses.
Existing protection includes all the land bordering this segment of coastline
lying within Kahurangi National Park. Topuni sites are identified at Kahurangi
and Otukoro Iti. Specified areas are listed under the Regional Coastal Plan.
5.1.2 Natural Features
Coastal Land and Islands
The Kahurangi segment includes some of the least modified sections of coastal
land in the Buller-NW Nelson region, due largely to poor accessibility,
rugged topography, and consequent low level of human habitation. The land
comprises largely intact nationally significant10
natural ecosystem sequences from the crests of the Tasman Mountains to the
Tasman Sea, virtually all protected within Kahurangi National Park.
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Wekakura Point to Whakapoai Point Photo: T Hume, NIWA |
This coastal land has been recognised as a ‘key biodiversity area in Kahurangi National Park’ , and
the natural quality of the sand dune and beach vegetation of the Kahurangi – Oparara coastline
has been rated higher than any other coastline between Farewell Spit and Saltwater Lagoon (South Westland) 2. The coastline tends to be rockier north of Wekakura Point, although a broad sandy beach immediately south from Kahurangi Point includes high dunes and large blowouts. The threatened coastal dune plants sand tussock and pingao occur in this area north of the Heaphy River. Coastal cress 3 and shore spurge occur south of the Heaphy River, which is also the southernmost reach of the native dune plant Spinifex on the West Coast. The coastline is largely free of weeds with gorse and marram grass being controlled in some coastal sites to counter their northward spread.
Eight small vegetated rock stacks occur close to shore (one at Seal Bay, one north of Toropuihi
Creek, three at Wekakura Point and three south of Whakapoai Point) but they have not been biologically surveyed 4.
Sites of geological interest include a fossil site at Kohaihai Bluff and a fluorite mineral site of national importance at Whakapoai Point 5.
Coastal Wetlands and Waterways
The Heaphy River is the main river entering this coastal segment, but numerous smaller streams also flow out to sea. The Heaphy River mouth wetland is the only coastal wetland in the locality and is of local ecological importance 6. The coastal streams between Karamea and Takaka (Golden Bay) have collectively been recognised as a ‘key biodiversity area in Kahurangi National Park’ 7, due to their diverse native fish assemblages.
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Kahurangi Point to Rocks Point in the distance. |
Big Bay to Steep Point in the distance. Photo: DOC |
Seashore and Marine Areas
This coastal segment contains some of the most extensive inshore rocky reefs in the northern region of the West Coast of the South Island, with the main concentration north of Wekakura
Point. The reefs are interspersed by sandy beaches and boulder shores, especially south of
Wekakura Point in depths less than 20 metres. Offshore, the seabed slopes gradually out towards the Challenger Plateau at a gradient of less than two degrees within the territorial
limit, reaching a depth of about 25 metres at the territorial limit. Seabed sediments mostly grade from coarse sand and pebble beaches to medium-fine sands and muddy sediments out to the territorial limit. An area of deeper rocky reef is reported to occur offshore of Rocks Point 8.
The rocky reef is interrupted by a coarser sandy gravel area at the Kahurangi
Shoals. This shallower seabed experiences a significant upwelling of nutrient-rich
water from the Tasman/Westland Currents19, resulting in high concentrations
of zooplankton extending into western Cook Strait20.
Coastal currents vary in direction and strength depending on sea and weather
conditions. Hydrographic charts21 give an indication
of an average 0.2 knot northward current off Rocks Point and a 0.3 knot
southward current off Heaphy River.
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| Nikau palms and boulder coastline, Heaphy Track Photo: L.F. Molloy |
Heaphy River Mouth Photo: L.F. Molloy |
Coastal and Marine Wildlife
New Zealand fur seals breed in colonies concentrated on three areas, with
over 1200 females having been counted in previous years at these places:
an unnamed embayment two kilometres south of Kahurangi River, Otukoro Iti
and Wekakura Point – Toropuihi Creek22. Fur
seal pup production has been monitored annually at the Wekakura Point colony
since 1992 and during this period between 500 and 1100 pups have been born
each year, with an overall trend of decline 23.
Hector’s dolphins occur off this coastline in moderate to low densities24 and humpback whales, right whales, orca, common dolphins and dusky dolphins
have been reported in inshore waters.
White fronted terns breed on some offshore stacks25.
Marine Fish and Other Species
This coastal segment like the whole western coast of the South Island, supports
a rich diversity of fish and invertebrate species that are fished both commercially
and recreationally by a number of fishing methods including trawl, longlining,
potting and set netting.
Inshore trawl fisheries are multi-species and are primarily based on flatfish
(several species), red gurnard, red cod, giant stargazer, tarakihi and blue
warehou. Other species taken as bycatch include arrow squid, dark ghost
shark, ling, barracouta, jack mackerel, spiny dogfish, rig, school shark,
sea perch, rough skate and smooth skate.
Coastal reef fish26 and seaweeds27 surveyed at Wekakura Point are typical of this area but exhibit increased
species diversity than other areas due to more abundant reef habitats and
the additional influence of northern coastal reef fish (such as magpie morwong
and orange clinid) and seaweeds (such as agar weed).
An experimental blackfoot paua harvest programme was undertaken in the mid
1990s28 between Kahurangi Point and Wekakura Point,
to provide stock assessment information for the Paua 6 fishery. At that
time it was found the paua stock level was not large, although paua beds
were found in many areas within the survey area.
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| Otukoroiti Point and Kahurangi Point in the far distance from near Rocks Point Sand dune blowouts south of Kahurangi Point. Photos: DOC | |
5.1.3 Cultural and Archaeological Heritage
The area is known from archaeological sites and traditions to have been
occupied by early Maori, including an archaeological site at the Heaphy
River mouth29. The first European visitors were
sealing gangs in the early 1800s, followed by explorers in the 1840s, and
gold seekers in the 1860s30. Kahurangi Point (the
northwestern landmark of the Ngai Tahu tribal takiwa) and Otukoro Iti (an
early settlement where a significant battle occurred with Ngati Rarua in
the 1820s) are recognised as topuni; sites of special importance to Ngai
Tahu31.
5.1.4 Recreation and Tourism
The coastline between the Heaphy and Kohaihai Rivers is mostly used by trampers
on the coastal section of the Heaphy Track (one of New Zealand’s designated
‘Great Walks’). The area north of Heaphy River is largely unvisited
and difficult to access, though occasional parties also walk the difficult
coastal route from Kahurangi to Heaphy, or access the area by boat or helicopter.
It has been noted as the only piece of ‘wilderness’32 coastline in central and northern New Zealand. Groome (1990) considered
the recreational values of the Heaphy Track to be of international importance
and Grindell (1984) listed the Heaphy as a river of national scenic importance.
The natural landscape, the wild character, and the track and hut facilities
all contribute to this.
The coastline is difficult for recreational fishers to access, but some
probably visit by helicopter or by boat out of Nelson, Westhaven and Westport;
they use a variety of fishing methods including SCUBA and line fishing.
Recreational divers, rodfishers and whitebaiters also access the area from
land along the Heaphy Track, fishing especially in the vicinity of Scott’s
Beach, Crayfish Point and the Heaphy River mouth.
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| Kahurango River mouth Photo: DOC Collection |
Kohaihai Bluff from Scott's Beach Photo: DOC Collection |
5.1.5 Commercial Use
This segment, like the rest of the inshore western coast of the South Island,
is fished by commercial fishers using a variety of methods and by vessels
that operate out of Nelson, Motueka, Westhaven and Westport. Commercial
fish species are listed in section 4.3.1. As well as fishing on the inner
continental shelf, some rock lobster fishing occurs on the rocky reefs in
this region. An experimental harvest of paua was undertaken in the early
1990s33.
Offshore hydrocarbon exploration has also been undertaken in this area34.
5.1.6 Other Public Uses and Facilities
Kahurangi Point is at the northern-most boundary of the West Coast Marine
Protection Forum area. It also marks the jurisdiction boundary for a number
of other agencies, such as the West Coast Regional Council, Department of
Conservation West Coast Tai Poutini Conservancy, Buller District Council
and West Coast Fish and Game; it is the takiwa boundary of Te Runanga o
Ngai Tahu.
This area is relatively remote and has few coastal landing and access points
but is on occasion accessed by helicopter. Big Bay is the most suitable
inshore anchorage on this exposed segment35, but
small vessels can also enter the Heaphy River mouth in good conditions.
Vehicles (including bicycles) and dogs are prohibited from the coastal area,
with a few specific exceptions.36
Other than facilities associated with the Heaphy Track (e.g., Heaphy Huts,
Katipo Creek Shelter), there is no public accommodation or settlement in
the area.
There are no Resource Management Act coastal permits issued for this segment37.
5.1.7 Existing Protection and Management Areas
Most of the coastal land above MHWS is protected within Kahurangi National
Park in accordance with the park management plan38.
A small area of private land occurs on the coastal flat south of the Heaphy
River. The Tasman Wilderness Area within Kahurangi National Park covers
much of the hill country in this segment south of the Heaphy River (but
excluding the coastal strip). Substantial areas of forest are under possum
control by the Department of Conservation and coastal weed control is also
a priority.
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| The beach north of Kotaipapa Point Photo: DOC |
North end of Scotts beach Photo: DOC |
Kahurangi Point and Otukoro Iti are topuni sites under the Ngai Tahu Claims
Settlement Act 1998. There is an historic reserve designation over land
owned by Ngai Tahu at Otukoro Iti.
Whitebaiting is not permitted in non-tidal areas, nor upstream of ‘back
pegs’ on the Heaphy River39.
The Heaphy River is a water body closed to commercial eel fishing (based
on its protected land status)40.
The Kahurangi segment lies within Fisheries Statistical Area FSA 35, which
is part of the Ministry of Fisheries Challenger Fishery Management Area
(FMA 7). The adjoining land area is within the Buller District.
The operative West Coast Regional Coastal Plan recognises:
- Culturally Significant Areas: CSA1 Kahurangi Point, CSA2 Otukoroiti Point, CSA3 Heaphy River.
- Coastal Recreation Area: CRA1 Heaphy Track.
- Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes: ONFL1 Kahurangi – Kohaihai.
- Marine Mammal and Bird Sites: MMB1 Toropuihi – Wekakura Point.
10 Morse 1981
19 Shirtcliffe & Moore 1990
20 Bradford-Grieve et al 1993, Foster & Battaerd 1985, James & Wilkinson 1988
21 RNZN 1985
22 S Courtney, pers comm 1988
23 H. Best, pers comm 2006
24 Dawson 2001
25 S Courtney, pers comm 1988
26 Neale 2006b
27 Neale & Nelson 1998
28 McShane et al 1993, 1994, 1995
29 e.g. McFadgen & Goff 2003
30 e.g. Hooker 1990
31 Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998
32 ‘Wilderness’ as used by the Recreational Opportunities Spectrum (ROS) classification, described in Dyson 2001
33 McShane et al 1995
34 Kingett & Associates 1987
35 RNZN 1987
36 Dyson 2001
37 www.wcrc.govt.nz “Maps on the Web”, June 2006
38 Dyson 2001
39 Whitebait Fishing (West Coast) Regulations 1994
40 Tai Poutini Tuna 1999