Piha Reflections

Description

Piha Beach is a scenic black-sand surf beach on the rugged west coast of Auckland. It’s a popular spot for surfers because of the strong waves, and it’s also known for its rugged, natural beauty. Locals and visitors alike love Piha for its dramatic landscapes and the sense of being close to nature. Plus, it’s a great place for hiking, swimming, and just enjoying the outdoors. As well as two surf beaches there are also a sheltered lagoon and several streams in the area.

Close-by Lion Rock is a volcanic monolith with war memorials and Maori carvings. Nearby, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park has subtropical native rainforest and trails to waterfalls such as Kitekite and Fairy falls. Piha is New Zealand’s most famous surf beach. The black-sand on the beach is due to the high iron content, which originated from Mount Taranaki and earlier volcanoes in the area.

The area is traditionally a part of rohe of the Tāmaki Māori tribe Te Kawerau ā Maki. The area is named for Te Piha, the traditional name of Lion Rock which was later applied to the wider area, and refers to the pattern made when waves hit against the rock. The area was the location of many pā and villages, including a headland at Te Waha Point north of the beach, where many karaka trees associated with the former pā grow, and Lion Rock, which was the location of Whakaari pā.