Whangapoua Harbour

{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Location map |New Zealand |label= Whangapoua Harbour |position= left |width= |float= |caption= |lat_deg = 36 |lat_min = 44 |lat_sec = 22 |lat_dir = S |lon_deg = 175 |lon_min = 37 |lon_sec = 41 |lon_dir = E }} '''Whangapoua Harbour''' is a shallow natural [[harbour]] in the northeast of the [[Coromandel Peninsula]]. It is located between [[Whangapoua]] in the north, [[Te Rerenga]] in the southwest, and [[Matarangi]] on the Omara Spit in the north separating it from the ocean. Two boat ramps and a jetty provide boat access into the harbour.<ref>[http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Council/Policy-and-plans/Rules-and-regulation/Navigation-safety-bylaw/Navigation-Safety-Bylaw-2009/Schedule-1---Location-specific-information/Schedule-19-ndash-Whangapoua-Harbour/ "Map of Whangapoua Harbour"], Waikato Regional Council</ref>

==Geography== [[Waitekuri River]], [[Opitonui River]], Owera Stream, Otanguru Stream, and Mapauriki Stream all drain the surrounding hills that are part of the [[Coromandel Range]] into the 12 km<sup>2</sup> harbour, which only has a single narrow mouth to the sea. Tidal flows have built up a bar at the 600m wide entrance, which makes navigation difficult in large swells. The entrance is flanked by the rocky Te Rehutae Point, rising to 85m to the west, and Omara Spit to the east.

The southern and eastern estuary arms contain extensive areas of [[Avicennia marina|grey mangroves]]. The surrounding land is partly farm land, pine plantations, and native bush.

==Recreation== The harbour is popular for fishing, particularly with holiday makers in Matarangi and Whangapoua. Commonly caught fish include [[Arripis trutta|kahawai]], [[Australasian snapper|snapper]], [[John Dory]], and [[Australian barracuda|barracuda]].

== Harbour biota == Common plants found in the Whangapoua harbour include [[mangrove]]s, the seagrass ''[[Zostera muelleri]],'' neptune's necklace seaweed ''[[Hormosira banksii]]'', and salt marsh rushes. More abundant animals include [[Austrovenus stutchburyi|cockles]], [[Amphibola crenata|mud snails]], [[Zeacumantus lutulentus|horn shells]], [[Cominella adspersa|whelks]], [[Lunella smaragda|cat's eyes]]'','' [[pacific oyster]]s and [[Patiriella regularis|cushion stars]].<ref>{{Cite Q|Q85141860}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

{{coord|36|44|22|S|175|37|41|E|region:NZ_type:waterbody_scale:500000|display=title}}

[[Category:Ports and harbours of New Zealand]] [[Category:Thames-Coromandel District]]