Our offices are now closed for the summer break and will reopen on Monday, 6 January 2025. The BUSIT counter in the Hamilton Transport Centre is now closed and reopen on Monday, 6 January 2025. To report air or water pollution, unsafe water activities in or on a river, lake or harbour, or make a general enquiry or information request during this time, we can be contacted 24/7 on 0800 800 401.

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About the Raglan/Whāingaroa catchments

The catchments of Whāingaroa Harbour cover approximately 52,595 hectares of land along the west coast of the North Island. The Whāingaroa catchment includes 826 kilometres of streams and has been split into five sub-catchments for management purposes: Kerikeri, Waingaro, Ohautira, Waitetuna and Opoturu.

Aerial image of Raglan Whaingaroa Harbour catchment area with sub-regions mapped on top

Whāingaroa is the second largest of the three harbours on the west coast, covering an area of 3185 hectares with 133 kilometres of coast.

 The Whāingaroa catchment has changed and developed over time particularly since human settlement. Removal of native vegetation has resulted in increased area of pasture for farming and as other catchment and land use activities increased there has been a change in sediment generation, decline in water quality and indigenous biodiversity and pest animals and plants have increased.

  • 52,595ha of land
  • 3185ha of harbour
  • 70% harbour exposed at low tide
  • 133km of coast
  • 826km of streams

How to get involved

We will be talking to partners, agencies, iwi representatives, rural landowners and local communities to understand their concerns, aspirations and ideas for the harbours and their catchments. You and your community can help to determine the focus of this work, and it may include areas such as water quality, sedimentation, biodiversity, riparian vegetation, pest plants and animals, flood-prone areas and preserving local values.

Watch this short video from Re:News, How A Town Saved It's Harbour

Credit: Whāingaroa Harbour Care