Background to the Problem

The Whangamata Bar, aka the Whanga Bar, yet another World Class surf spot, is on the verge of destruction due to a project to house a 205-berth marina. Thousands of surfers use the area for recreational purposes and the local Iwi, or Maori tribe, also opposes the marina because of fears that traditional food-gathering areas will be lost. The estuary is also a part of the Maori's heritage where archeological artifacts may be unearthed during construction. 



The marina's site is on the seabed of the Moanaanuanu Estuary of the Whangamata harbor. The estuary is home to many species of fish, shellfish, seabirds, mangroves, salt marshes, and the natural sand bar. This area is one of the few parts of coastline left undeveloped on the North Island. The proposal is designed to hold a select 205 berths, which will expand over 4 hectares of coastal marine zone, 300 meters of breakwater structures will be constructed, and 167,000 cubic meters of dredging will occur for both the marina basin and the channel. The dredged sand will be dumped atop a natural salt marsh covering 1.4 hectares. 



Minister of Conservation Hon. Chris Carter rejected the Marina application, but the High Court of Appeal sent it back for re-review. In October 2006, Carter assigned the Marina application to Minister of Environment Hon. Benson Pope.

In 2006, the Minister of Conservation decided to allow the marina to be built but with the compromise that it must undertake monitoring of the Bar. There is no requirement, however, that if the Bar quality does deteriorate the marina has to shut down the dredging. By 2009 major changes could be seen in wave quality. Previously the Bar was famous for its stability and wave quality on all conditions, but for the first time since 1976 the surf has become completely unreliable. 

July 2011 Update

Construction of the marina and harbor expansion that threatens one of New Zealand's best waves is complete. Save The Waves Coalition member Surfbreak Protection Society reports that tension between "boaties" and surfers has reached new levels and the community is divided over the issue. 

As instructed by the government, the Bar has been monitored by both parties (those on the building side and those on the surfing side). Both have used surveys of the Bar to analyze the condition. However, Surfbreak has had trouble getting their interpretation published in public press and Council minutes as they are controlled by boat-owners. They are currently in negotiations to have a monitoring camera installed so that they may have 24-7-365 monitoring. They rely on good will and donations to make this happen.

Surfbreak was able to get the Bar protected under the New Zealand National Coastal Policy Statement of 2011 but the consents for the marina were granted before this law. They expect in time they will end up in the Environmental Court to fight this issue and protect the Bar.