change

Home 

Choose your country

or

 

National Parks & Marine Reserves

 

 

Parininihi Marine Reserve

Parininihi Marine Reserve - click for more.
Rare and exotic sponges create a vivid display at Parininihi Marine Reserve
More about this image
One of New Zealand’s newest marine reserves is also one of the country’s most isolated and tempestuous, with an ever-changing environment and ‘high energy’ coastline.

Parininihi is an 1800ha section of the wild North Taranaki coastline in the shadow of the towering White Cliffs. It's constantly thrashed by the turbulent Tasman Sea, creating ever-moving sand and a changing environment.

The waters are home to a variety of fish species such as blue cod, blue moki, red moki, gurnard, john dory, kahawai, red cod, terakihi, trevally and snapper. It has also been reported to have a large rock lobster population.

As well as having a special place in the history of Maori, the reserve is also renowned for its collection of rare and exotic sponges - Pariokariwa Reef has been rated as one of the top sponge spots in the world.

The marine reserve officially joined New Zealand’s marine reserve network in October 2006. It can be accessed by boat from the Tongapurutu River, Urenui River, Waitara River (bar crossings), or by traveling one hour north from New Plymouth boat ramp. There are no charter boats servicing this area - you should always check with Coastguard for weather and sea conditions.

Within the reserve boundaries, all marine life, habitat, objects and structures are protected.
 


 
TARANAKI Region


Contact Details

Contact: Department of Conservation
Phone:
 6 7590 350
Fax: 6 7590 351
Postal: PO Box 462
New Plymouth 4320
Website: www.doc.govt.nz/templates/podcover.
aspx?id=33940
Contact: New Plymouth i-SITE Visitor Centre
Phone: +64 6 7596 060
Fax: +64 6 7596 073
Postal: Private Bag 2025 New Plymouth
Website: www.newplymouthnz.com

Send a message



Your Email Address:
Your phone number:
Your message:
 
Send me a copy

Waitara is the closest town to this highlight.

In Waitara:

Other towns near Waitara by road:

Other towns near Waitara by rail:

Waitara does not have any rail stations.

Other towns near Waitara by air:

Waitara does not have scheduled passenger air services.

The nearest airport is in New Plymouth (15 minutes)

Disclaimer
All information available on this web site concerning products and services is provided by the suppliers of those goods and services. Because information is liable to change from time to time you should not rely on the information on this web site but should check the accuracy of the information with the relevant supplier. Tourism New Zealand is not responsible or liable for any claims arising in relation to information supplied to it.

 
Front Row Rugby Club

Front Row Rugby Club Join the Front Row Rugby Club along with Tana Umaga and thousands of others.

New Zealand Videos

New Zealand Videos Browse our collection of videos that showcase what New Zealand has to offer.

Your Words

Your Words Browse personal blogs for straight talking thoughts and opinions about our places, people and adventures.


› Email this page  
› Page top

Tools:

Souvenirs:

Your Experiences:

100% Pure - newzealand.com
Edition: 
Travel:
Our other sites: 

100% Pure New Zealand on: 
The email addresses published on this web page are for conducting communications that promote Tourism in New Zealand, and are not to be used for any other commercial purpose.
Copyright 1999-2009 Tourism New Zealand, the official website of the New Zealand Tourism Board.