Muriwai

A windswept rugged coastline, 60km of surf beach and rolling dunes of black sand characterise Muriwai Beach, making it one of Auckland's most popular west coast beaches.
The name Muriwai traditionally applied only to wetlands in the Okiritoto Stream Valley. The park was established in 1906 as Motutara Domain, taking its name from the rock stack 'motutara' - island of the sea birds.

The domain was expanded over the years and became Muriwai Regional Park in 1969. Muriwai Regional Park extends from Maori Bay in the south up Muriwai Beach for 8km. The park includes the spectacular Takapu (gannet) Refuge at Otakamiro Point, one of only three mainland gannet colonies in New Zealand.  The best time to visit the gannets is between October in February.  The chicks hatch in November then leave for Australia at 15 weeks old returning to breed when they are 3 and seven years old.

Inland, picnic areas and walking tracks set in native bush provide a contrast to the harsh coastline.

History

Maori occupied the area for centuries. Ngati Te Kahupara, a sub tribe of both Te Kawerau a Maki and Ngati Whatua descent, lived there from the 1700s until the late 1800s. They lived mainly at Otakamiro Point, at Oneonenui in the headwaters of the Okiritoto Stream (Totoanui Falls) and at Korekore Pa (Pulpit Rock). Two pa (defended settlements) were located on Otakamiro Point.

Land was sold to European settlers and in 1909 Sir Edwin Mitchelson, helped establish the forerunner to the present park, the Motutara Domain. Mitchelson built a large homestead and extensive garden overlooking Otakamiro Point. Many of the exotic and native trees Mitchelson planted are within the park - look out for them amongst the regenerating coastal forest.

Wildlife

Muriwai is home to a wide range of birds but it is the gannets (takapu) that most visitors come to see. Two viewing platforms provide great vantage points to take in the spectacular location and watch the gannets.

The birds return here between July and October to re-establish contact with their life-long mates. After mating, one egg is laid and incubated in shifts by both birds until the gannet chick is born, naked and blind, 45 days later.

December is an exciting time as chicks clamour for food and parents nosedive spectacularly into the water at up to 145km per hour in search of fish to feed their young. Fur seals regularly feed and rest at Oaia Island 1.6km off the coast. During spring look out for them sunbathing on the rocks below the gannet colony.

Native Bush

Large areas of sand dunes back onto Muriwai. Since much of the dune area has been planted with spinifex and native pingao in an effort to stabilise the sand, visitors are asked not to walk on the sand dunes unless absolutely necessary.