Te Angiangi Marine Reserve
Image: Russell Hughes | DOC

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Introduction

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve protects a piece of the central Hawke's Bay coast, between Aramoana and Blackhead.

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve review

Ngāti Kere holds mana whenua over the area of the coast that includes the Te Angiangi Marine Reserve.

Ngāti Kere supported establishment in 1997 so long as DOC agreed to a ‘generational’ (25 years on from establishment) review of the reserve. They saw this as important because of the importance of kaimoana as a staple in families’ diets, and a way to help maintain the connection between Ngāti Kere and the reserve.

To fulfil that commitment, DOC has partnered with Ngāti Kere to complete a review. The review will examine indicators to assess the health of marine life within the reserve, management practices, and community engagement with the area. We expect to complete the review in 2024.

Read about Marine Protected Area reviews.

Find things to do and places to stay Te Angiangi Marine Reserve

At low tide many types of birds take advantage of rich feeding areas on the intertidal platforms. Kingfishers, gulls, herons, variable oyster catchers, pied stilts and flocks of eastern bar-tailed godwits are common. At high tide small flocks of gulls, white-fronted terns and Caspian terns can be viewed roosting on the sand at the mouths of small streams. Banded dotterels can also be seen on some of the beaches.

Boats can be launched with the aid of a 4WD vehicle or tractor from the beach at Blackhead, Aramoana or Pourerere. Divers wishing to explore the deeper parts of the reserve will find access easiest by boat.

Boats should slow to less than five knots and stay at least 50 m away from seals, dolphins or whales. Do not take your boat through the middle of a pod of dolphins or whales and avoid making sudden course changes. When leaving, do not accelerate until you are well away from them.

The marine reserve is well suited to shore diving. The best places for beginners to snorkel are the sheltered waters of Stingray Bay and Shelly Bay. During calm conditions experienced snorkel and scuba divers will have no difficulty swimming off the edge of the intertidal rock platform.

There are about 138 ha of reef to explore. The most spectacular underwater scenery is found in depths of 9-15 m south of Aramoana. Dense Ecklonia kelp forest covers most of the reef, which is broken in places by long sandy guts. The kelp forest provides habitat for a thriving community of common reef animals.

Colourful nudibranchs (sea slugs) and large schools of butterfly perch and tarakihi are found at depths of 24-36 m on the Boulder Bank, or Sponge Garden. This community is dominated by finger sponges and red seaweeds. Several types of fish, including sea perch, scarlet wrasse, large blue cod and common roughy are more abundant here than anywhere else in the reserve.

Protect our marine reserves
  • No fishing of any kind.
  • Don't take or kill marine life.
  • Don't remove or disturb any marine life or materials.
  • Don't feed fish - it disturbs their natural behaviour.
  • Take care when anchoring to avoid damaging the sea floor.

Contacts

Ahuriri / Napier Office
Phone:   0800 275 362
Fax:   +64 4 471 1117
Email:   napier@doc.govt.nz
Address:   Level 2
Dunvegan House
215 Hastings Street
Napier 4110
Postal Address:   PO Box 644
Napier 4140
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