Whatipu Flax Bushes

Description

Whatipu sits on the northern side of the entrance to the Manukau Harbour. It is a remote place with a large, open valley dominated by bush covered rocky peaks, and extensive black sand dunes stretching out to the wild waters of the Tasman Sea. The Whatipu area has been managed as a scientific reserve by the Auckland Regional Council since 2002. To the south of Whatipu is Manukau Harbour. To the north is Karekare. Whatipu is located at the southern end of the Waitākere Ranges. Shifting sands have substantially changed the beach since the 1940s. Over 6 square kilometres has been added to the beach since then.

The Whatipu area is predominantly an Exposed Coastal Ecosystem, dominated by sand dunes and pōhutukawa trees, as well as saltspray tolerant species such as Urostemon kirkii, taupata, Veronica obtusata and horokaka. The hilly Waitākere Ranges areas further from the beaches are dominated by a warm lowlands pūriri forest, with a narrow band of mānuka-dominated band of Stormy Coastal Hill Ecosystem.

Whatipu was part of the Hikurangi purchase by the Crown in 1853. The Te Kawerau tribe had reserves set aside at Bethells Beach and Piha. In the latter 19th century, Whatipu was used as black market port, where perfume, spirits and tobacco were smuggled into New Zealand. A road connecting Whatipu to Auckland was constructed in the 1920s.

HMS Orpheus ran aground just inside the Manukau Harbour entrance south of Whatipu in 1863 with the loss of 189 lives. It was the biggest shipping disaster in New Zealand history.