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Kāwaroa Reef at low tide, New Plymouth
Mauri Compass · Rocky Shore Survey

Kāwaroa Reef

Intertidal Monitoring · New Plymouth, Taranaki

−39.0508°S · 174.0618°E · Mana Whenua: Ngāti Te Whiti

134
Recorded Species
iNaturalist · Kāwaroa Reef
50m
Transect Length
KR-T1 · Bearing ~270° W
Since 2009
Kaimoana Monitored
TRC biannual baseline
Tapuae MR
Adjacent Reserve
Marine Reserve · 1.2km S

About Kāwaroa Reef

Kāwaroa Reef is a basalt intertidal reef platform on the New Plymouth foreshore, directly below the Destination Kāwaroa playground (opened December 2024). It is one of only two kaimoana-gathering reefs in the area, alongside Arakaitai Reef.

The reef is adjacent to the Tapuae Marine Reserve and the Ngā Motu / Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Protected Area. Taranaki Regional Council has monitored kaimoana abundance here twice yearly since 2009. iNaturalist records 134 species at this site.

Tasman SeaBasalt PlatformTRC MonitoredTapuae MR Adjacent
Researchers conducting a transect survey at Kāwaroa Reef

50m transect survey · NZ Standard Intertidal Method

Kaimoana Status

TRC 2024 Baseline
Pāua/ Pāua
Haliotis iris
→stable
Kina/ Kina
Evechinus chloroticus
↑stable
Kōura/ Rock Lobster
Jasus edwardsii
↓low
Kūtai/ Green-lipped Mussel
Perna canaliculus
↑good

Intertidal Zone Profile

Splash
High
Mid
Low
Sub-tidal
Periwinkle
Barnacle
Limpet
Chiton
Mussel
Neptune's Necklace
Kina · Pāua
Triplefin
Kelp
Sea Squirt

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Safety — Kāwaroa Reef

  • • Survey only within ±2 hours of low tide
  • • Abort if swell >0.8m or wind >40 km/h
  • • Wet basalt is extremely slippery
  • • Buddy system mandatory
  • • Check NP tidal gauge (LINZ) before departure

Survey Details

TransectKR-T1 · 50m · ~270° W
MethodNZ Standard Intertidal
FrequencyBiannual (TRC) + ad hoc
Sea Temp~16–18°C (summer)

Check Clean Dry

Kāwaroa Reef is adjacent to the Tapuae Marine Reserve. Inspect, clean, and dry all equipment before and after every survey to prevent biosecurity risks.