A great way to spend a day in Central Hawke's Bay

Explore! Enjoy! Learn! Take nothing but photographs and memories. Te Angiangi Marine Reserve was established in August 1997. It is located on the Central Hawke's Bay coast, approximately 30km east of Waipukurau and Waipawa. It covers an area of about 1.3 square nautical miles (446 hectares), extending 1 nautical mile offshore from mean high water mark between Blackhead and Aramoana beaches.

How to get there
Turn off SH2 at Waipawa or Waipukurau. From Waipawa, turn east into Tamumu Road. Approximately 2km down this road the name will change to Pourerere Road. Just before Pourerere Beach on the right is Aramoana Road. It is a no exit road. Head southeast from Waipukurau on Tavistock Road which becomes Farm Road, and follow the signs from there to Blackhead Beach. Te Angiangi Marine Reserve runs between Blackhead & Aramoana Beaches.

Purpose of the Reserve
Marine reserves are areas of the sea in which all natural features, including marine life, are protected in their natural state. The reserve protects a typical piece of the Central Hawke's Bay coast. At low tide a broad rock platform is exposed, giving access to a fascinating variety of marine life. Distinctive plants and animals include the golden limpet, and large beds of Neptune’s necklace, pink coralline seaweeds and eelgrass. Small fish, crabs, juvenile paua and kina inhabit the rock pools.

Boundaries of the Reserve
Pairs of large yellow triangular beacons mark the northern and southern boundaries. These are located at the mouth of the Ouepoto Stream, on the end of the ridge and 100m south of the end of Long Range Road, Blackhead. When visiting the Marine Reserve all plant and animal life, alive or dead, is totally protected. No fishing, seaweed or shellfish gathering is allowed. The reefs and sea floor are also protected and cannot be removed. When exploring the rock pools return any rocks you look under to their original position. This will help protect the plants and animals living on and under them.

Swimming and diving
Te Angiangi Marine Reserve is well suited to shore diving and the best way to appreciate it is to go for a swim with a facemask on. The best places for beginners to snorkel are the sheltered waters of Stingray Bay and Shelly Bay. During calm conditions experienced snorkel and SCUBA divers will have no difficulty swimming off the edge of the inter-tidal rock platform.

Horse riding and motor vehicles
These can be ridden or driven along the sand at the top of the rock platform but are not permitted onto the rocky areas below mean high water. Wildlife Please avoid disturbing wildlife. Birds and marine mammals should be observed from a discreet distance and dogs kept on a leash at all times. Boats should slow to less than 5 knots and stay at least 50m away from seals, dolphins or whales.

Coastal Walk
A walk is a great way of exploring the coast between Blackhead and Paoanui Point. At low tide many types of birds take advantage of rich feeding areas on the inter-tidal platforms. At high tide small flocks of gulls, white-fronted terns and Caspian terns can be viewed roosting on the sand at the mouths of small streams.

Management of the Marine Reserve
This is the responsibility of the Department of Conservation. A committee representing the tangata whenua, local residents, and commercial and recreational users of the area assists the Department in this.