Whanganui Inlet

{{Short description|Natural harbour in Tasman District, New Zealand}} {{Redirect|Westhaven Inlet|the marina in Auckland|Westhaven Marina}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Whanganui Inlet | image = Whanganui Inlet from Knuckle Hill - panoramio.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Whanganui Inlet from Knuckle Hill | image_size = | map = New Zealand | relief = 1 | map_alt = | map_caption = | map_width = | location = [[Tasman District]] | nearest_city = [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]] | coordinates = {{coord|40|36|S|172|33|E}} }} '''Whanganui Inlet''', commonly known by its former name '''Westhaven Inlet''' or '''West Haven''', is a large natural indentation in the northwest coast of the [[South Island]] of [[New Zealand]].

The inlet is a drowned river valley running parallel to the west coast. It is some {{convert|13|km|mi}} in length and on average is about {{convert|2.5|km|mi}} wide. A narrow channel halfway along the valley connects the inlet to the [[Tasman Sea]].<ref>{{cite web| last=Freeman |first=Leonie |url= https://www.aa.co.nz/travel/editorial/westhaven-whanganui-inlet-marine-and-wildlife-reserve/ |title=Westhaven (Whanganui Inlet) marine and wildlife reserve |publisher=AA New Zealand |access-date=15 September 2018}}</ref> This channel is located {{convert|19|km|mi}} southwest of [[Farewell Spit]].<ref>{{cite web| last=Walrond |first=Carl |url= http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/29132/whanganui-inlet |title=Whanganui Inlet |website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |date=22 April 2015 |access-date=15 September 2018}}</ref>

It is still in a largely unspoilt natural state, with seagrass and salt marsh providing an environment friendly to sea life. It is a popular site for fishing and boating, and much of the inlet is protected by a wildlife management area and by the [[Westhaven Marine Reserve]].<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.tasman.govt.nz/environment/coastal-marine/coastal-marine-biodiversity/estuarine-information/how-do-tasman-s-estuaries-measure-up/whanganui-inlet/ |title=Whanganui Inlet |publisher=[[Tasman District Council]] |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180914203705/http://www.tasman.govt.nz/environment/coastal-marine/coastal-marine-biodiversity/estuarine-information/how-do-tasman-s-estuaries-measure-up/whanganui-inlet/ |archive-date=14 September 2018}}</ref> 42 species of water bird have been seen in the Inlet, including [[South Island oystercatcher|South Island oyster catcher]], [[bar-tailed godwit]], [[Red knot|knot]], [[Double-banded plover|banded dotterel]] and [[Buff-banded rail|banded rail]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1989 |title=Ecological investigation of Whanganui Inlet |url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/estuaries/the-ecology-of-whanganui-inlet.pdf |website=DoC}}</ref>

In 1846 it was reported that ships of up to 80 tons could cross the bar and that one had taken a cargo of coal away from outcrops on islands at the south end of the harbour.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 September 1846 |title=NOTES of an EXPEDITION to Kawatiri and Araura, on the WESTERN COAST of the MIDDLE ISLAND, performed by Messrs. Heaphy and Brunner. NELSON EXAMINER AND NEW ZEALAND CHRONICLE |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18460905.2.4 |access-date=4 January 2023 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> Logging continued until at least 1952,<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 October 1952 |title=ACCIDENTS. PRESS |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19521011.2.11 |access-date=4 January 2023 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> there was a flax mill<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scrimegeour's Flax Mill, Whanganui Inlet |url=https://collection.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/objects/P35487/scrimegeours-flax-mill-whanganui-inlet |access-date=4 January 2023 |website=Nelson Provincial Museum |language=en}}</ref> and gold was mined. In 1908 the town of Rakopi was established opposite the entrance, with a telegraph office, sawmill, wharf, school and houses. Declining resources, an economic downturn and the dangerous passage for ships through the entrance caused its decline.<ref name=":0" /> The Benara Timber Co and Westhaven Coal Co were still operating at the south end of the Inlet in 1941.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 August 1941 |title=ROYALTY ON TIMBER AND COAL. NELSON EVENING MAIL |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19410812.2.12 |access-date=4 January 2023 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:Tasman District]] [[Category:Inlets of New Zealand]]