Hauraki Gulf
 |
A true-colour image showing Auckland city (left), the Hauraki Gulf (centre) and the Coromandel Peninsula (right). The scene was acquired by NASA's Terra satellite, on October 23, 2002. |
 |
Location of the Hauraki Gulf |
The
Hauraki Gulf is a
coastal feature of the
North Island of
New Zealand. The
gulf lies between
Auckland, the
Coromandel Peninsula, and the
Hauraki Plains.
The waters of the gulf are part of the
Pacific Ocean, which it connects to in the north and east. The gulf is largely protected from the Pacific by
Great Barrier Island and
Hauturu/Little Barrier Island to the north, and by the 80 kilometre long finger of land that is the Coromandel Peninsula to the east.
Three large channels join the gulf to the Pacific.
Colville Channel lies between the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier,
Cradock Channel lies between the two islands, and
Jellicoe Channel lies between Little Barrier and the coast of the
North Auckland Peninsula.
To the north of Auckland several peninsulas jut into the gulf, notably the
Whangaparaoa Peninsula.
Tiritiri Matangi Island is located near the end of this peninsula. Further north,
Kawau Island nestles under the Tawharanui Peninsula.
In the west of the gulf lie a string of islands guarding the mouth of the
Waitemata Harbour, one of Auckland's two harbours. These include
Ponui Island,
Waiheke Island,
Tiritiri Matangi and the iconic dome of
Rangitoto Island (a dormant
volcano), which is connected to the much older
Motutapu Island by a causeway. The islands are separated from the mainland by the
Tamaki Strait and
Rangitoto Channel.
Other islands located in the gulf include
Browns Island,
Motuihe Island,
Pakihi Island,
Pakatoa Island,
Rakino Island, and
Rotoroa Island in the inner gulf, around Waiheke and Rangitoto;
Motukawao Islands and
Whanganui Island in the lee of the Coromandel Peninsula; and
Channel Island in the outer gulf.
At the southern end of the Hauraki Gulf is the wide, relatively shallow inlet known as the
Firth of Thames. Beyond this lie the
Hauraki Plains, formed by the
Waihou/Thames River and the
Piako River. The
Hunua Ranges and hills of the
Coromandel Peninsula rise on either side of the Firth.
Numerous beaches dot the shores of the gulf.
Sections 7 and 8 of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 state:
7 Recognition of national significance of Hauraki Gulf*(1) The interrelationship between the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments and the ability of that interrelationship to sustain the life-supporting capacity of the environment of the Hauraki Gulf and its islands are matters of national significance.
*(2) The life-supporting capacity of the environment of the Gulf and its islands includes the capacityâ€"
**(a) to provide forâ€"
***(i) the historic, traditional, cultural, and spiritual relationship of the tangata whenua of the Gulf with the Gulf and its islands; and
***(ii) the social, economic, recreational, and cultural well-being of people and communities:
**(b) to use the resources of the Gulf by the people and communities of the Gulf and New Zealand for economic activities and recreation:
**(c) to maintain the soil, air, water, and ecosystems of the Gulf.
8 Management of Hauraki Gulf: To recognise the national significance of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments, the objectives of the management of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments areâ€"
**(a) the protection and, where appropriate, the enhancement of the life-supporting capacity of the environment of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments:
**(b) the protection and, where appropriate, the enhancement of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments:
**(c) the protection and, where appropriate, the enhancement of those natural, historic, and physical resources (including kaimoana) of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments with which tangata whenua have an historic, traditional, cultural, and spiritual relationship:
**(d) the protection of the cultural and historic associations of people and communities in and around the Hauraki Gulf with its natural, historic, and physical resources:
**(e) the maintenance and, where appropriate, the enhancement of the contribution of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments to the social and economic well-being of the people and communities of the Hauraki Gulf and New Zealand:
**(f) the maintenance and, where appropriate, the enhancement of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments, which contribute to the recreation and enjoyment of the Hauraki Gulf for the people and communities of the Hauraki Gulf and New Zealand.
