West Coast Marine and Coastal Localities:
a Detailed Description of 14 Segments

5.8 Hokitika
(Awatuna – Donoghues, 38 km)

5.7.1 Summary
The Hokitika segment mostly comprises a coastal plain backed by marine terraces and broad river flats. Two large rivers, the Arahura and Hokitika, and numerous smaller ones flow out to sea in this segment. The seabed is mostly a uniform shelf grading out to fine sediments. The beaches are mostly coarse-grained mixed sand and gravel or cobble, with little evidence of rocky reefs. The shelf is broken by a more complex formation at the head of the Hokitika Canyon, and broadens to a shallow seabed plain in the south.

The area supports marine life that is typical of such habitats in the central West Coast. Access to the coastline is possible at numerous points along the coastal plain and the coastal areas are popular for a variety of recreational uses. Residential development and farming predominantly use the coastal plains and terraces.

Notable features of this segment include its:

The areas of coastal conservation lands are mostly small, associated with coastal forest remnants and wetlands. Other protected areas are controlled whitebaiting areas. There are also several management areas under the Regional Coastal Plan.

5.7.2 Natural Features

Coastal Land and Islands
Most of the beaches along the Hokitika segment have low dunes of up to one to five metres in height. The foredunes are mostly scrub-covered and often extend back to pasture land on the Holocene coastal plain and outwash surfaces. Buildings and settlements dominate the coastal landscape in some places, The coastal terraces and sand plains formed from tectonically raised shorelines have been substantially cleared of their original forest cover.

Mananui Bush (extending inland to Mahinapua Scenic Reserve) is one of only a few remnant indigenous coastal dune forest remnants in central Westland169; it is also a dunefield landform of geological interest170. Mananui Bush/Mahinapua Scenic Reserve is the only native bush remnant between Greymouth and Waitaha that extends as a corridor right to the coast; yet even here the foredune has been previously cleared of indigenous vegetation and is now covered in gorse and regenerating shrub species. Other sandplain forest remnants also exist in the Hokitika segment but most are smaller, on private land, and subject to grazing. Dune blowouts are more common in the vicinity of Totara Lagoon – Mahinapua, and the threatened dune sedge pingao grows in patches.

Sand and gravel  beach at Maranui
Photo: T Hume, NIWA 		Takutai Beaach, south of Hokitika
Photo: D Neale, DOC

Coastal Wetlands and Waterways
The main coastal wetlands are the Arahura and Hokitika river mouths, with several other tidal lagoons. The dune and swale formations on the sand plain have led to the formation of hapua-type wetlands running parallel to the coast in several locations, such as Waimea Creek, Flowery Creek, Mahinapua Creek/Tuwharewhare and Totara Lagoon. Of these the last two remain in the most natural state.

Mahinapua Creek/Tuwharewhare is a slow semi-tidal coastal stream with high natural values, flowing parallel to the coast into the Hokitika River mouth. Its margins remain largely in indigenous vegetation and its catchment includes the protected areas of Lake Mahinapua and Mahinapua Scenic Reserve. It, provides excellent habitat for waterfowl and indigenous freshwater fish such as inanga, giant kokopu and eels. The marginal vegetation and adjoining swamplands of the creek are both ecologically important and scenically attractive. Inanga spawning sites have been recorded in Mahinapua Creek/Tuwharewhare171 and its tributary Fisherman’s Creek.

Totara Lagoon is a long, narrow tidal lagoon and river mouth occupying dune depressions protected from the sea by a sand and gravel beach with low sand dunes and wave-washed surfaces. It extends along about 10 kilometres of coastline and includes about 100 ha of open water, making it the most extensive and unmodified lagoon system between Charleston and the Waitaha River. It is fed in the south by the Totara River and, in the north, by smaller tributaries such as Rocky Creek, Camp Creek, Woolhouse Creek and Gows Creek. Although much of the surrounding land has been cleared and is used for grazing and forestry, a good cover of forest (mainly regenerating rimu and kahikatea) and marginal wetland vegetation (extensive rush areas with bullrush and flax) still remains around the lagoon. Tidal reaches extend for several kilometres along narrow vegetated channels, providing habitat for at least 14 estuarine and freshwater fish species, as well as wading birds and other waterfowl. Totara Lagoon has been rated of high wildlife value, being used by a diversity of birds (27 species), particularly waterfowl but also waders and marsh birds172.

Totara River mouth, with Ross in the distance
Photo: T Hue, NIWA 		Totara Lagoon and beach
Photo: T Hume, NIWA

The Hokitika River is a large waterway which flows across a large braided gravel bed to the sea. It has a total catchment area of 1100 sq km and an estimated annual suspended sediment discharge of 6.2 million tonnes173 (among the highest recorded in New Zealand). The lower reaches of the river are popular for walking and fishing. Wadeson Island located upstream of the bridge is the site of a wetland restoration project.
|
The Arahura River mouth is a wetland of moderate importance to wildlife and is noted as one of the few mainland white-fronted tern colonies on the West Coast174. Other smaller rivers and streams cut out through the foredune in places or converge with the mouths of larger waterways.

The Mananui Coastline. with Lake Mahinapua beyond
Photo: T Hume, NIWA 		The Hokitika River mouth area, with Mahinapua Creek/Tuwharewhare in the foreground
Photo: T Hume, NIWA

Seashore and Marine Areas
The Hokitika segment beaches are predominantly sand and gravel foreshore with a very low foredune. Beach dynamics are greatly affected by the mouth and channel movements of the nearby rivers and shoreline changes of up to 100 m have occurred, sometimes as a result of artificial river training works175. The intertidal zone is dominated by mixed sand and gravel beaches of variable width; they generally have very low biological diversity. Despite the high degree of modification resulting from agricultural and residential use of the adjoining coastal plain, the beaches and river banks are mainly in a natural state.

Rocky shores are almost absent from the Hokitika segment, the only exceptions being the Arahura and Mikonui mussel beds. Here, extensive moraine boulder ‘ramps’ (that are larger than several hectares each and exposed only at spring low tides) form suitable habitats for mussels and other shorelife. The Hokitika River mouth is a site of scientific importance as the type locality for the giant triplefin176, a nationally uncommon species that is abundant in the northern West Coast177. The location of this type locality is unusual insomuch as this fish is predominantly a reef dweller and the area has no nearby reefs.

Offshore the Hokitika Canyon dominates a moderately complex seabed form. The canyon head reaches to within about twelve kilometres of the shoreline with depths of about 300-400 metres within territorial waters, so it is likely that the canyon has a significant influence on the ecology of the territorial waters in this segment. The sediments and topography of the canyon area have recently been surveyed in detail, and the canyon has been found to be made up of an intricate channel network which acts as a ‘sink’ that carries the supply of silt and other continental shelf sediments into the deep sea178 (see Chapter 2).

Figure - Hokitika Canyon Arahura River, with FLowery Creek
flowing in from the left
Photo: T Hume, NIWA

A broad shelving area to the south of the canyon is informally known as Bold Head (after a nearby landmark), where depths of less than 50 metres reach out beyond the 12 nautical mile territorial limit. To the north of the Hokitika Canyon, the seabed shelves off more steeply across the inner shelf towards the Challenger Plateau, reaching a depth of about 150 metres at the territorial limit. Seabed sediments grade from coarse sand and gravel beaches to sandy mud offshore, but tend to remain somewhat coarser at the head of the canyon.

Most of the seabed from 100 to 200 metres depth around and to the north of the canyon head in this Hokitika segment is regarded for the purpose of the NIWA inshore trawl surveys as ‘foul’ (untrawlable) ground179. A 1985 study identified a 25 km-long fluvioglacial deposit (covering 155 km2), largely uncovered by modern sediments, lying from six to fourteen kilometres off Hokitika and referred to as the ‘Harvester Prospect’180. However, this Harvester Prospect area and some of the ‘foul ground’ areas of the NIWA surveys are reported to be trawled by commercial fishers.

Donoghues, south of the Ross
Photo: D Neale, DOC

Coastal and Marine Wildlife
The Hokitika segment is part of a much wider area of habitat for Hector’s dolphin181.
Blue penguins nest in dispersed locations along this coastline where buildings and vegetation provide shelter. The Hokitika River mouth and nearby beaches serve as roosting and feeding areas for large numbers of gulls and terns.

Marine Fish and Other Species
This coastal region like the whole west 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, trolling, 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 skate182.

The canyon is a core area for the west coast winter spawning aggregations of hoki ranging from depths of 50 m to 1500 m, with the majority of fish caught in the deeper depths. The extent to which these biological features reach into territorial waters has not been assessed. The upper reaches of the Hokitika Canyon are also fished by longliners targeting ling throughout various times of the year.

The restored historic Custom House and cannon on the Hokitika quayside in 2007
Photo: D Neale, DOC
The Hokitika quayside was once a busy area for shipping: this scene is from the early 1900's
Photo: DOC collection

5.7.3 Historical and Archaeological Heritage
Physical evidence of pre-European coastal sites is scarce (as are European sites), probably due to the physical instability of the coast. Traditionally there was early Maori occupation around the Arahura and Hokitika estuaries183, largely because of the area’s importance as a source of pounamu. Lake Mahinapua is wahi tapu, recognising the significance of a battle that occurred on its shores.

Hokitika and most of the other settlements in this segment have their European origins in the goldrush days dating from 1865. At that time Hokitika became a busy river mouth port servicing the goldfields from Kumara to Ross.

5.7.4 Recreation and Tourism
Fishing (surfcasting, river mouth angling, whitebaiting and set netting) occurs throughout the Hokitika segment. The locations preferred by fishers depend largely on prevailing conditions, but they tend to be mainly near population centres, river and stream mouths and public access points. Recreational boats gain access out to sea mostly from the Hokitika River mouth boat ramp. The Hokitika River whitebait fishery is of major recreational, as well as commercial, importance184. Mussels are gathered at large beds southwards from the Arahura River mouth and north of the Mikonui River mouth.

Pounamu fossicking occurs mostly around the mouth of the Arahura River (the main West Coast source of the stone) and along its nearby beaches – to the north and at least as far south as Hokitika.

Driftwood and Sand Beach Sculpture event, Hokitika beach
Photos: D. Burglass, Hokitika

Beachwalking is popular throughout the Hokitika segment, especially near settlements and public access points. The Hokitika beach and river mouth area is a particular focal point for recreational activities and is popular with both local residents and visitors. These activities include beachwalking, stone and driftwood fossicking, firewood gathering and bonfires; the surf is moderately popular for swimming, bodyboarding and kayaking. Hokitika Beach is also a popular venue for public events, such as the Driftwood & Sand Beach Sculpture week, the Sand Dunes Classic golf tournament and activities during the Wildfoods Festival.

Farming, mining, housing and a golf course are the main uses of the sand dunes. State Highway 6 runs parallel to the coast throughout most of the segment and includes a 700 metre bridge over the Hokitika River which affords good views of the tidal river mouth. The Mananui Bush Walk to the beach is of local recreational significance and receives high use (Groome, 1990).

Totara Lagoon is popular for duckshooting, whitebaiting, canoeing and walking, although much of the surrounding land has been modified for farming and forestry. There is vehicle access at both ends of the lagoon.

Hokitika’s tourism relies heavily on the coastal area’s historic and natural heritage. The north bank of the Hokitika River at Gibson Quay has been developed by Heritage Hokitika as a historic quayside reconstruction. A ‘heritage walkway’ has been developed through Wadeson Island, the quayside area, Sunset Point and the beachfront up to Tudor St. Many old buildings, structures and sites of historic importance still remain here.

Kaihinui
Photo: D Neale, DOC

5.7.5 Commercial Use
Like most of the inshore West Coast the Hokitika segment is fished by commercial fishers using a variety of methods, the most common being bottom trawl185. Vessels in this area mostly operate out of Greymouth, but also come from Westport and Nelson.

The Hokitika segment is part of a marine gold exploration proposal presently being sought by Seafield Resources Ltd for most of the West Coast’s coastal marine area. The section of seabed known as the ‘Harvester Prospect’ (see above) has received attention for its potential as a gold resource186, but to date has not been mined.
Gravel aggregate is extracted from the river bed above the Hokitika bridge, mostly for the building trade. Small-scale blacksand mining operations occur on several beaches in this segment and decorative stones (e.g. flat cobbles) are also collected.

Commercial and industrial activity occurs in numerous places close to the coastline but is especially focused in the Hokitika area. Central Hokitika supports a variety of businesses in the retailing, service and light industrial sectors, while the area north of Hokitika to Three Mile supports light industry.

Farming including dairy, deer, sheep and food crops, occurs on the coastal sandplain along much of this segment. Most of the dune areas are grazed, usually with the scrub-covered foredune fenced off.

The Hokitika beachfront area
Photo: D Neale, DOC 		Hokitika from sea
Photo: D Neale, DOC

5.7.6 Other Public Uses and Facilities
The township of Hokitika (including its residential outliers to the north and south) abuts the beach and river bank and is the main concentration of residential use and public amenities. Smaller settlements near the coast include Awatuna, Arahura, Ruatapu and Ross.

Water discharges to the coastal marine area include the town stormwater pipes to the Hokitika River and beach, outfall pipes from the Westland Milk Products factory and the town’s treated sewage outfall from settling ponds near Three Mile.

Mananui
Photo: D Neale, DOC

Coastal erosion is a significant threat to properties on the seafront, including part of the central Hokitika business district187. Houses were built close to the shore when the town was first surveyed in 1865 and these properties remain occupied. Attempts to alleviate the erosion problem have included: the construction of rock groynes at several locations (with more intended), coastal hazard provisions in the district plan and regional coastal plan, dumping of spoil and other material at numerous points along the foreshore and adjusting the orientation of the Hokitika River’s discharge.

There are Resource Management Act coastal permits issued in this segment188 for:

5.7.7 Existing Protection and Management Areas
Much of the Hokitika segment consists of private land lying immediately behind a strip of legal road along the beachfront. Public access to the shoreline is mostly via formed or unformed legal roads.

Several coastal areas are administered by the Department of Conservation: areas near the Arahura River mouth and Flowery Creek, the bed of the Hokitika River, parts of the Hokitika south spit, Mananui Bush and the forested margins of Lake Mahinapua (including Mahinapua Scenic Reserve) and Totara Lagoon (including the Totara Lagoon Wildlife Management Reserve).

The bed of the Arahura River is privately owned by Mawhera Inc, and the bed of Lake Mahinapua is owned by Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu. The margins of Mahinapua Creek/Tuwharewhare are owned by the West Coast Fish and Game Council.

Coastal gold mining near Ross
Photo: D Neale, DOC 		Totara Lagoon beach
Photo: D Neale, DOC

Several waterways in this segment are closed to whitebaiting:

Whitebaiting is not permitted in non-tidal areas nor upstream of ‘back pegs’ on Houhou Creek, and the Arahura, Hokitika and Totara Rivers.


The Totara Lagoon Wildlife Management Reserve and the Arahura River (under private ownership) are noted in the Tai Poutini Eel Management Plan as “significant water bodies which are closed to commercial eel fishing”190.

The Hokitika segment lies within Fisheries Statistical Area FSA 34, which is part of the Challenger Fishery Management Area (FMA 7). The adjoining land area is within the Westland District.
The operative West Coast Regional Coastal Plan recognises:
Wadeson Island recreation area, in the upper tidal reach of Hokitika River
Photo: D Neale, DOC

169 Wardle 1980
170 Hayward & Kenny 1999
171 Taylor et al 1992
172 Eastwood 1998, Morse 1981
173 Hicks & Shankar 2003
174 Morse 1981
175 Hicks 1988; Gibb 1985, 1987; Sharp 1915; Coode 1880c; Rochfort 1870
176 Clarke 1879
177 Roberts et al 2005
178 P. Barnes pers comm 2006, Price 1985
179 Stevenson 2004
180 Price 1985
181 Dawson 2002
182 Stevenson & Hanchet 2000
183 Hooker 1990
184 Kelly 1988
185 Booth et al 2005
186 Price 1985
187 Gibb 1987, Hicks 1988, Benn & Neale 1992
188 www.wcrc.govt.nz “Maps on the Web”, June 2006
189 Hicks 2003
190 Tai Poutini Tuna 1999

Hokitika MapHabitats & Ecosystems People & UseAnimals & Plants Existing Protection & Management Plans Submission Form