# Whanganui Inlet

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Natural harbour in Tasman District, New Zealand

"Westhaven Inlet" redirects here. For the marina in Auckland, see [Westhaven Marina](/source/Westhaven_Marina).

Whanganui Inlet Whanganui Inlet from Knuckle Hill Location Tasman District Nearest city Nelson Coordinates 40°36′S 172°33′E / 40.600°S 172.550°E / -40.600; 172.550

**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](/source/South_Island) of [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand).

The inlet is a drowned river valley running parallel to the west coast. It is some 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) in length and on average is about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) wide. A narrow channel halfway along the valley connects the inlet to the [Tasman Sea](/source/Tasman_Sea).[1] This channel is located 19 kilometres (12 mi) southwest of [Farewell Spit](/source/Farewell_Spit).[2]

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](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Westhaven_Marine_Reserve&action=edit&redlink=1).[3] 42 species of water bird have been seen in the Inlet, including [South Island oyster catcher](/source/South_Island_oystercatcher), [bar-tailed godwit](/source/Bar-tailed_godwit), [knot](/source/Red_knot), [banded dotterel](/source/Double-banded_plover) and [banded rail](/source/Buff-banded_rail).[4]

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.[5] Logging continued until at least 1952,[6] there was a flax mill[7] 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.[4] The Benara Timber Co and Westhaven Coal Co were still operating at the south end of the Inlet in 1941.[8]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Freeman, Leonie. ["Westhaven (Whanganui Inlet) marine and wildlife reserve"](https://www.aa.co.nz/travel/editorial/westhaven-whanganui-inlet-marine-and-wildlife-reserve/). AA New Zealand. Retrieved 15 September 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Walrond, Carl (22 April 2015). ["Whanganui Inlet"](http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/29132/whanganui-inlet). *[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand](/source/Te_Ara%3A_The_Encyclopedia_of_New_Zealand)*. Retrieved 15 September 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Whanganui Inlet"](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/). [Tasman District Council](/source/Tasman_District_Council). Archived from [the original](http://www.tasman.govt.nz/environment/coastal-marine/coastal-marine-biodiversity/estuarine-information/how-do-tasman-s-estuaries-measure-up/whanganui-inlet/) on 14 September 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) ["Ecological investigation of Whanganui Inlet"](https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/estuaries/the-ecology-of-whanganui-inlet.pdf) (PDF). *DoC*. 1989.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["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"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18460905.2.4). *paperspast.natlib.govt.nz*. 5 September 1846. Retrieved 4 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["ACCIDENTS. PRESS"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19521011.2.11). *paperspast.natlib.govt.nz*. 11 October 1952. Retrieved 4 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Scrimegeour's Flax Mill, Whanganui Inlet"](https://collection.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/objects/P35487/scrimegeours-flax-mill-whanganui-inlet). *Nelson Provincial Museum*. Retrieved 4 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["ROYALTY ON TIMBER AND COAL. NELSON EVENING MAIL"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19410812.2.12). *paperspast.natlib.govt.nz*. 12 August 1941. Retrieved 4 January 2023.

v t e Tasman District, New Zealand Seat: Richmond Populated places Golden Bay / Mohua Aorere Bainham Clifton Collingwood East Tākaka Ferntown Ligar Bay Motupipi Onekaka Pākawau Parapara Patons Rock Pōhara Port Pūponga Pūponga Rockville Seaford Tākaka Tarakohe Tata Beach Upper Tākaka Waikato Waitapu Motueka Brooklyn Kaiteriteri Lower Moutere Mārahau Motueka Riwaka Moutere-Waimea Brightwater Bronte Dovedale Mahana Māpua Ngātīmoti Ruby Bay Tasman Upper Moutere Wakefield Woodstock Richmond Aniseed Valley Appleby Hope Richmond Lakes-Murchison Murchison Rotoroa Saint Arnaud Tapawera Tophouse Geographic features Buller River Dun Mountain–Maitai terrane Hope Saddle Lee River Mārahau River Maungakura / Red Hill Newton River Ngārua Caves Roding River Sams Creek Tākaka River Waimea Plains Waimea River Golden Bay / Mohua Appos Creek Archway Islands Cape Farewell Cobb Reservoir Druggans Dam Dry River Farewell Spit Harwoods Hole Lake Killarney Lightband Gully North-west Nelson Forest Park Rawhiti Cave Slateford Tākaka Hill Tata Islands Te Waikoropupū Springs Wainui Bay Whanganui Inlet Wharariki Beach Abel Tasman National Park Armchair Island Awapoto River Awaroa River Ballon Rock Falls River Fisherman Island Motuareronui / Adele Island Simonet Creek Torrent Bay Tata Islands Tinline Bay Tonga Island Torrent River Tōtaranui Wainui River Falls Tasman Bay Bell Island Best Island Moturoa / Rabbit Island Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock Waimea Inlet Kahurangi National Park Brown River Bulmer Cavern Ellis Basin cave system Kahurangi Point Lake Matiri Mount Arthur Mount Burnett Mount Owen Nettlebed Cave Wharepapa / Arthur Range Nelson Lakes National Park Braeburn Range Lake Rotoiti Lake Rotoroa Maniniaro / Angelus Peak Mount Franklin Pourangahau / Mount Robert Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake Rotopōhueroa / Lake Constance Sabine Valley Saint Arnaud Range Spenser Mountains Facilities and attractions Abel Tasman National Park Coast Track Inland Track Monument Appleby railway station Brightwater railway station Cobb Power Station Ferntown Bridge Gowanbridge railway station Heaphy Track Hope railway station Karamea Aerodrome Kawatiri railway station Langford Store Memorial Park Milnthorpe Model Motueka Aerodrome Moutere Inn Mussel Inn Nelson Lakes National Park Onekaka Ironworks Onekaka Power Station Onekaka Wharf and tramline Proposals for a road through North-west Nelson Pupu Hydro Power Scheme Richmond railway station RNZAF Dip Flat Rutherford memorial Stafford Place St Michael's Church Stoke railway station Tākaka Aerodrome Tākaka Pioneers' Memorial Takaka Tramway Great Taste Trail Tonga Island Marine Reserve Tophouse Tour de Vineyards Wai-iti Dark Sky Park Wangapeka Track Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve Wharariki Ecosanctuary Administration Historic Nelson Province (1853–1876) Collingwood County (1877–1956) Waimea County (1877–1989) Richmond Borough (1891–1989 · mayor) Motueka Borough (1900–1989) Takaka County (1904–1956) Murchison County (1909–1965) Golden Bay County (1956–1989) Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council (1989–1992) Current Council Mayor Organisations Golden Bay Air Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby Union New Zealand Energy Richmond Athletic FC Talley's Group Schools Collingwood Area School Golden Bay High School Motueka High School Waimea College Waimea Intermediate

[40°36′S 172°33′E / 40.600°S 172.550°E / -40.600; 172.550](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Whanganui_Inlet&params=40_36_S_172_33_E_)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Whanganui Inlet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whanganui_Inlet) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whanganui_Inlet?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.