Waitangi Regional ParkTe papa rēhia ā-rohe o Waitangi

Come alive on the coast

On the coast between Awatoto and Haumoana, Waitangi Regional Park links the Tukituki, Ngaruroro and Tūtaekurī Rivers, the Karamū Stream-Clive rivers and coastal reserves. The park covers an area of 300 ha along around 5km of a narrow strip of coastline.

This part of the coast is an important ecosystem. The birds you might spot include white heron, royal spoonbill, godwits, and gannets. You might also smell or spot a seal or two, when they come inshore.

The lower parts of the rivers are popular for fishing, whitebaiting, rowing, waka ama, kayaking, jet boating, jet skiing, and kite surfing.

The Waitangi Estuary area was an early arrival site for both Māori and pākehā. The Star Compass, Ātea a Rangi, symbolises the navigational skills of early settlers. On Waitangi Day, 6 February, a popular festival on the Clive River features a re-enactment of the arrival of the first European settlers.

Download this great guide about all of our parks including Waitangi, with directions on how to get to them and lots handy information.

Regional parks guide

The story of the park

The area around Waitangi Regional Park is rich in culture, history and nature.

Fittingly, the northern end has been transformed into a gateway icon for Napier and Hastings communities and you can view this video to see what has been done in this scenic space. 

Waitangi ranks within the top 10 wetlands in the region that require protection and enhancement as determined by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. This area provides a variety of wetland and coastal habitats that support a significant population of bird species. It connects with the nearby Tukituki Estuary. The restoration of some of the wetland areas now is helping to provide habitats for seabirds, water fowl, fish, insects and plants along this coastline.

The estuary initially linked the Ngaruroro and Tukituki river mouths and in the late 1800’s a small ferry boat transported people and goods across the rivers. Significant changes have occurred since then as a result of storms and coastal erosion.   The construction of the Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme in the 1960 and 70s further altered the wetlands. Numerous stopbanks and pump stations were constructed along these rivers and Muddy Creek south to the Tukituki River to provide flood protection and drainage to extensive areas of land between Napier and Hastings. While this was important for the economic development of Hawke’s Bay, it did help to destroy an extensive wetland system over this area which is now being restored.

Ātea a Rangi Star Compass         

The Ātea a Rangi Star Compass stands right on the edge of the coast. 

This dramatic circle of pou (posts), stones and a whaharoa (gateway) has been developed by the Ātea a Rangi Educational Trust and installed through 2017. 

Local carvers have created the pou, representing the points of the compass. They worked with the Regional Council's open spaces team to enhance this important historical part of the coast.

Information signs at the star compass display information on:

• the navigation skills and tools of ancient Māori who navigated the oceans to arrive here and settle (PDF)
•  the historical significance of this area
• the natural richness of the area.

See more about the enhancement project here and in our video below.