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Pouto Peninsula

In this section:

Features
- History
- Natural features

See also:

Integrated Kaipara Harbour Management Group website

Pouto is a vast area and holds many treasures including unmodified dune systems, dune lakes, wetlands, rare birds, plants, and shipwrecks.

Pouto is a place of extremes and contrasts. It appears indestructible with the wild Tasman Sea pounding its beach. It offers harmony with the stillness and calm of its wetlands. Yet it is constantly resurrecting itself with seemingly endless mobile sand dunes. However, Pouto is delicate and needs our help to retain its treasures.

History

Pouto's human history goes back to when Maori came from central eastern Polynesia. The Kaipara North Head Lighthouse was built in 1884.

Natural features

The Pouto Peninsula contains one of the largest unmodified dune systems remaining in New Zealand (over 600 hectares).

Find out more

Publications

Pouto brochure

Weather

Maps

New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres

Learn more

Kauri trees

Stop the spread of didymo
Check, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.

Safety

Follow the Outdoor Safety Code:
1. Plan your trip
2. Tell someone
3. Be aware of the weather
4. Know your limits
5. Take sufficient supplies

Tips for driving on unsealed roads

Contacts

Kauri Coast Area Office
Phone:	+64 9 439 3450

Email:
Full office details