Whakanewha

Size: 264 hectares

Site description and location

The Whakanewha biodiversity focus area is an extensive area almost entirely covered in native vegetation. It includes a mosaic of vegetation covering the moderately-steep hills and coastal flats. It has excellent sequences of vegetation grading from one ecosystem type to another as well as a high species diversity. 

Most of this biodiversity focus area is located within Whakanewha Regional Park, on the south-western coast of Waiheke Island.

Whakanewha Regional Park.
The regenerating scrub and a raupō wetland of Whakanewha Regional Park.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2019

Ecosystems

There are several mature coastal forest remnants (WF4), buffered by large areas of regenerating forest and scrub (VS2 and VS5). The forest and scrub buffer the northern-side of Poukaraka wetland, a large raupō-dominated swamp (WL19). This swamp is recognised as being one of the best examples of this ecosystem type on Waiheke Island. 

The wetland grades into an area of oioi-dominated freshwater wetland (WL10) and saltmarsh (SA1) downstream. A shell and sand barrier beach (SA1.5) extends along most of the Rocky Bay foreshore with a band of saltmarsh on the inland side.

Whakanewha Stream and two other streams flow down through the forest-clad catchment, through freshwater wetlands and saltmarsh before discharging onto Rocky Bay beach.

Whakanewha Bay.
Looking west over Whakanewha Bay.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2019

Native fauna

There are many native species found throughout this biodiversity focus area, including:

  • native lizards and pipiwharauroa (shining cuckoo) in the forest and scrub
  • longfin eel in the wetlands and streams
  • matuku hūrepo (Australasian bittern) and pūweto (spotless crake) in the wetlands
  • pateke (brown teal) and mioweka (banded rail) in the wetlands and tidal creeks
  • tūturiwhatu (New Zealand dotterel), kuaka (bar-tailed godwit) and taranui (Caspian tern) on the shell barrier beach
  • kororā (little penguin) in burrows along the coastline.
Whakanewha Bay.
Whakanewha Bay and surrounding regenerating scrub.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2019

Restoration actions

There are no possums, ferrets or weasels on Waiheke Island. This, along with pest animal and pest plant control since the parks purchase in 1994, has improved the habitat value for native species. 

Managing continual pest plant and pest animal invasion to the park is an ongoing challenge.

Te Korowai o Waiheke is a community-led initiative aiming to eradicate stoats and then rats from Waiheke Island. 

Related ecosystems

Coastal saline ecosystem

Mangrove forest and scrub ecosystem (SA1)

Mangrove forest and scrub is found in tidal estuaries, inlets and where salt water meets fresh at the mouths of rivers and streams. This ecosystem has a range of distinct plant communities that provide habitat for birds and fish.

Threat status
Least concern

Regenerating ecosystem

Kānuka scrub and forest ecosystem (VS2)

Found throughout New Zealand, kānuka dominated forest establishes readily after fire. It's diverse range of flowering and fruiting shrubs and trees provide habitat for a wide range of invertebrates, birds and lizards.

Threat status
Least concern

Warm forest ecosystem

Pōhutukawa, pūriri, broadleaved forest ecosystem (WF4)

Scattered along Auckland's coastlines, this broadleaved forest ecosystem provides an important source of food for kererū. They are also important seed dispersers for many species in this ecosystem.

Threat status
Endangered

Wetland ecosystem

Raupō reedland ecosystem (WL19)

Raupō swamps are found in a wide range of areas on mineral soils and fluctuating water tables. They are dominated by raupō and other rushes and grasses, which provide a home for wetland birds.

Threat status
Endangered