Te tiaki punaha hauropi takutai moana

Looking after coastal ecosystems

A resource collection dedicated to protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems.

Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland's coastline features a diverse collection of dunes, saline habitats, freshwater wetlands, coastal scrub and forest.

Their cultural significance gives Tāmaki Makaurau much of its recreational identity. Ecologically, our coastal ecosystems are rich in species that are often threatened. 

We need to maintain a balance to protect these values for future Aucklanders to enjoy.

Start with these resources

Aotearoa’s Coastal Change Dataset

This coastal change dataset for Aotearoa New Zealand provides nationwide coverage of coastal erosion and accretion patterns from the 1940s to present day.

Caring for Northland's dunes

The importance of dunes and their restoration.

How dunes work

How beaches work before and after storms.

Te Haumanu Taiao: Restoring the natural environment in Tāmaki Makaurau

A guide for anyone undertaking restoration in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland to achieve their ecological restoration goals and to further enable the biodiversity of our region to heal and flourish.

PDF download 13.5 MB

Find out more

Coastal restoration handbook

A technical guide to backdune restoration.

Coastal Dunes

Overview of coastal dune ecosystem

Sand binder plantings

A summary of information on collecting, growing and planting spinifex and pingao.

PDF download 1.15 MB

Weed control on sand dunes

Resources for controlling pest plants on dunes.

Plant Pass participating producers

Buy your plants from a ‘Plant Pass’ producer and help stop pest and pathogen threats to our environment.

Take action for a litter-free coastline

Visit Sustainable Coastline’s ‘Litter Intelligence’ website to find out more about their programme to understand, educate and inspire action for a healthier litter-free coast.

Litter Intelligence

Find related ecosystems

What is an ecosystem?

Understand how the diversity, distribution and threat status of ecosystems in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland is important in protecting and enhancing our biodiversity.

Planting to enhance native biodiversity

Find out what you need to do if you are planning to carry out restoration planting. Planting appropriate and locally sourced native plants is great for biodiversity and the environment.

Restoration planning

These resources will help you work through the complexity of planning your restoration project.

Spinifex, pīngao grassland or sedgeland ecosystem (DN2)

Dunelands occur where erosion and accretion of sand creates mobile dune systems. Due to the extreme conditions only a few highly specialised, drought tolerant plant species have adapted.

Oioi, knobby clubrush sedgeland ecosystem (DN5)

Large dune plains such as those at Whatipū and Papakanui Spit occur with accreting coastlines behind mobile dunes. The mosaic of dry and ephemeral plant communities provide habitat for many native fauna.

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.

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.

Shore bindweed, knobby clubrush gravelfield or stonefield ecosystem (SA4)

Gravelfield and stonefield ecosystems are rare in Auckland, developing on beach ridges. The diversity of plant communities that establish here depend on the age of the gravels and proximity to the shoreline.

Herbfield (coastal turf) ecosystem (SA5)

This ecosystem occurs on hard rock on coastal bluffs and cliffs along the western coastline of Auckland and some Hauraki Gulf islands. A wide range of salt-tolerant herbs, sedges and rushes are present.

Pōhutukawa treeland, flaxland and rockland ecosystem (CL1)

This ecosystem occurs on coastal rock faces and eroding hill-slopes around the Auckland coastline and on offshore islands. It contains a mosaic of different plant communities including herbs, flax, shrubs and trees.