Tahuna Torea

Size: 22 hectares

Site description

The Tahuna Torea biodiversity focus area is situated on the coast at Glendowie.

This biodiversity focus area includes Tahuna Torea Nature Reserve and small adjoining Auckland Council reserve areas.

A variety of tracks and viewing points in the reserves provide visitors with opportunities to appreciate the beauty of this natural area and its diverse birdlife.

Tahuna Torea sand bank extending into the estuary.
Tahuna Torea and its matrix of saline, dune, freshwater and regenerating vegetation.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2017

Ecosystems

Tahuna Torea includes a long sand bank which extends out into the Tāmaki Estuary. It also has a tidal lagoon with mangrove scrub (SA1), freshwater wetlands (WL19) and regenerating native forest and scrub (VS5). The area provides a mosaic (mix) of marine, intertidal, freshwater and terrestrial habitats. 

The full extent of Tahuna Torea.
The full extent of Tahuna Torea and the sand bank that extends into the Tāmaki Estuary.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2017

Native birds

Tahuna Torea is a key shorebird roost in the Tāmaki Ecological District. The habitat diversity of Tahuna Torea attracts a wide range of coastal and shorebirds birds including:

  • tōrea (South Island pied oystercatcher)
  • tōrea pango (variable oystercatcher)
  • taranui (Caspian tern)
  • poaka (pied stilt)
  • kuaka (bar-tailed godwit)
  • huahou (red knot)
  • pohowera (banded dotterel)
  • tūturiwhatu (New Zealand dotterel)
  • ngutuparore (wrybill)
  • tarāpunga (red-billed gulls)
  • kāruhiruhi (pied shags)
  • matuku (white-faced heron)
  • matuku moana (reef heron).

Conservation

Tahuna Torea is a highly valued nature reserve. There have been long-running ecological restoration efforts with ongoing collaboration between community volunteers and Auckland Council.

Related ecosystems

Active coastal sand dunes ecosystem

Spinifex, pīngao grassland or sedgeland ecosystem (DN2)

Dunelands occur where erosion and accretion of sand creates mobile dune systems. Due to the extreme conditions only a few highly specialised, drought tolerant plant species have adapted.

Threat status
Endangered

Coastal saline ecosystem

Mangrove forest and scrub ecosystem (SA1)

Mangrove forest and scrub is found in tidal estuaries, inlets and where salt water meets fresh at the mouths of rivers and streams. This ecosystem has a range of distinct plant communities that provide habitat for birds and fish.

Threat status
Least concern

Regenerating ecosystem

Broadleaved species scrub and forest ecosystem (VS5)

This ecosystem can be found in semi-dry areas on low fertility slopes throughout New Zealand. In Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland, it is mostly found on south-facing slopes in the south.

Threat status
Least concern

Wetland ecosystem

Raupō reedland ecosystem (WL19)

Raupō swamps are found in a wide range of areas on mineral soils and fluctuating water tables. They are dominated by raupō and other rushes and grasses, which provide a home for wetland birds.

Threat status
Endangered