Waitākere Coastal Forest and Turf

Size: 282 hectares

Site description

The Waitākere Coastal Forest and Turf biodiversity focus area extends along the Waitākere coastline from Bartrum Bay (south of Muriwai) to Karekare. It includes mostly public land. The terrain is rugged and volcanic in origin.

Coastal cliffs near Piha Beach.
Coastal cliffs surrounding Union Bay, Mercer Bay and Piha Beach are covered in coastal pōhutukawa forest and flaxland.

Key ecosystems


The ecosystems covered by this biodiversity focus area include:

  • petrel scrub (SA7) on small islands occupied by seabirds close to the main coastline
  • coastal turf (SA5) sites - the best remaining mainland examples of this ecosystem type
  • extensive areas of coastal vegetation on steep cliffs (CL1)
  • coastal forest (WF4) remnants in gully areas and where the hillslopes are less steep.

The coastal forest remnants include some of the best examples on Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland’s west coast. Flax is abundant on the cliffs, although there are a variety of other coastal trees, shrubs and herbs present including threatened species.

Petrel scrub

The ground beneath the petrel scrub (SA7) on one of the islands is covered in seabird burrows. The vegetation here is a mix of coastal trees and shrubs including houpara, karo, kawakawa and hangehange. Glasswort and iceplant are also locally common, but generally the ground is bare due to regular disturbance by the burrowing seabirds.

Petrel scrub was formerly widespread on suitable coastal sites throughout the mainland, associated with burrowing seabird colonies. However it is now mostly restricted to predator-free offshore islands where seabird colonies persist or are recovering.

Coastal turf along a west coast cliff edge.
Horokaka (New Zealand iceplant), oioi reed and coastal turf species along a cliff edge.
Coastal turf surrounded by oioi reed.
Coastal turf surrounded by oioi reed.

Coastal turf

Coastal turf is one of Aotearoa / New Zealand’s naturally uncommon ecosystem types. It has become increasingly rare over time due to:

  • coastal development
  • damage by livestock
  • weeds
  • erosion.

The four coastal turf sites included in this biodiversity focus area are the best examples on mainland Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.

Habitat values

The vegetation throughout this biodiversity focus area provides important habitat and food sources for native animals including lizards, forest birds and seabirds. Ōi (grey-faced petrel) and kororā (little penguin) nest in a number of places along this coastline.

Conservation management

An ongoing weed control programme by Auckland Council helps to protect the coastal turf and threatened plant populations. Animal pest control is also underway to protect seabird nesting areas.

Related ecosystems

Cliff ecosystem

Pōhutukawa treeland, flaxland and rockland ecosystem (CL1)

This ecosystem occurs on coastal rock faces and eroding hill-slopes around the Auckland coastline and on offshore islands. It contains a mosaic of different plant communities including herbs, flax, shrubs and trees.

Threat status
Vulnerable

Coastal saline ecosystem

Herbfield (coastal turf) ecosystem (SA5)

This ecosystem occurs on hard rock on coastal bluffs and cliffs along the western coastline of Auckland and some Hauraki Gulf islands. A wide range of salt-tolerant herbs, sedges and rushes are present.

Threat status
Critically endangered

Coastal saline ecosystem

Iceplant, glasswort herbfield or loamfield ecosystem (SA7)

This coastal ecosystem is also known as petrel scrub. It occurs in association with burrowing seabird colonies and surface nesting seabirds in exposed locations. In Auckland, it is restricted to predator free offshore islands and rock stacks.

Threat status
Critically endangered

Warm forest ecosystem

Pōhutukawa, pūriri, broadleaved forest ecosystem (WF4)

Scattered along Auckland's coastlines, this broadleaved forest ecosystem provides an important source of food for kererū. They are also important seed dispersers for many species in this ecosystem.

Threat status
Endangered