Coastal Structure Plans

As part of the Whangārei Coastal Management Strategy, Coastal Structure Plans were developed for 10 high priority coastal settlements. 

A Coastal Structure Plan is an informal document that was developed after consultation with the public. Each plan seeks to guide future development in the area it covers over the next 20 years. 

The plans include:

  • statements about how the community wants their town or village to look in the future
  • the values the community holds
  • the special features in their area that should be protected. 

It is expected that the zoning set out in the Coastal Structure Plans will be incorporated into the District Plan, if and when it is required.

Marsden Point and Ruakākā Structure Plan

The Marsden Point and Ruakākā Structure Plan identifies the outcomes for living, working, playing and protecting the area based on the growth of work opportunities.

This plan illustrates the ultimate development potential over time of an area in Ruakākā. It would create a satellite for Whangārei based on the requirements of the port at Marsden Point. Sufficient industrial land is proposed and zoned to cater for the growth of imports and exports as well as ancillary industrial uses.

The plan also recognises that people working in the area should be able to live, shop and play there. Large residential areas, open space and business development should be available to support this.

Marsden Point and Ruakākā Coastal Structure Plan(PDF, 801KB)

Marsden Point and Ruakākā Coastal Structure Plan Map(PDF, 215KB)

Appendix 1: Population and Employment Growth(PDF, 3MB)

Appendix 2: Takahiwai Coastline Study(PDF, 519KB)

Appendix 3: Water Infrastructure Report(PDF, 4MB)

Appendix 4: Integrated Transport Assessment(PDF, 4MB)

Appendix 4(a): Transport Assessment - Planning and Policy Considerations(PDF, 860KB)

Appendix 4(b): Transport Assessment - Land Use Capacities(PDF, 447KB)

Appendix 4(c): Transport Assessment - Predicted Traffic Volume Plots(PDF, 415KB)

Appendix 4(d): Transport Assessment - Intersection Modelling Results(PDF, 1000KB)

Appendix 5: Marsden Town Centre Land Demand Analysis Guidelines(PDF, 228KB)

You can request a printed copy of the complete document, by contacting any of our Service Centres or phone us on 09 430 4200.

Matapōuri and Woolleys Bay Structure Plan

The area covered by the Structure Plan extends south from Sandy Bay to the mouth of the Ngunguru River. It has a predominantly residential living character with holiday homes clustered amongst bush clad hills. Rural and rural lifestyle development predominates on the western side of Matapōuri Road. 

The coastal area includes the Matapōuri and Woolleys Bay settlement areas and the Structure Plan has been identified as a high priority planning area. It identifies outcomes for living, working, playing and protecting the area.

Matapōuri and Woolleys Bay Coastal Structure Plan(PDF, 3MB)

McLeod Bay and Reotahi Structure Plan

The area included in this Structure Plan includes the existing McLeod Bay, Reotahi and Little Munro residential settlements and surrounding rural and estuarine environments.

The McLeod Bay and Reotahi Structure Plan has been identified as a high priority planning area recognising the growth within the settlements and the existing and potential conflicts between growth in this area, the landscape character, sense of place and natural environment (including hazards in this environment).

The plan identifies outcomes for living, working, playing and protecting the area.

McLeod Bay and Reotahi Structure Plan(PDF, 3MB)

McLeod Bay and Reotahi Structure Plan Map(PDF, 1MB)

Ngunguru Structure Plan

The area included in this Structure plan extends to include the existing Ngunguru residential settlement and surrounding rural and estuarine environments.

The Ngunguru Structure Plan has been identified as a high priority planning area recognising the role this particular settlement has as a service centre for settlements along the Matapōuri coastal road.  It identifies outcomes for living, working, playing and protecting the area.  

Ngunguru Coastal Structure Plan(PDF, 3MB)

Ōakura Structure Plan

The area included in this Structure Plan extends from Bland Bay along the east coast to Mimiwhangata, including a number of small residential settlement areas.

The Ōakura Structure Plan has been identified as a high priority planning area recognising recent growth pressures at this particular settlement and the potential conflicts of this growth on the natural character and other values identified in the area.

It identifies outcomes for living, working, playing and protecting the area. 

Ōakura Coastal Structure Plan(PDF, 3MB) 

Parua Bay Structure Plan

The area included in this Structure Plan extends from Waikaraka on Whangārei Heads Road east along the coastal road and settlements to Parua Bay. It includes a number of small clustered residential living environments and some large lot residential properties around bays and beaches, surrounded by largely rural activity.

The area is strongly characterised by the coastal environment and Whangārei Heads Road. 

The Parua Bay Structure Plan has been identified as a high priority planning area recognising the role this particular settlement has for other residential settlements including the Whangārei Heads and the Pātaua South community further to the north-east of Parua Bay.

The plan identifies outcomes for living, working, playing and protecting the area. 

 Parua Bay Coastal Structure Plan(PDF, 2MB)

Pātaua Structure Plan

The area included in this Structure Plan extends from Awahoa Bay, north of Ocean Beach on Whangārei’s east coast to the Horahora River. It includes a number of small clustered residential living environments along beaches and estuary/river mouths at Taiharuru, Pātaua and Horahora.

The dominant land use is the surrounding rural activity and the area is strongly characterised by the coastal and estuarine environments.

The Pātaua Structure Plan has been identified as a high priority planning area recognising the growth issues at settlement and the existing and potential conflicts between growth in this area, the landscape character, sense of place and natural environment (including hazards in this environment).

The plan identifies outcomes for living, working, playing and protecting the area.

Pātaua Coastal Structure Plan(PDF, 3MB)

Tūtūkākā Structure Plan

The area included in this Structure Plan extends from Sandy Bay south to Tūtūkākā and the mouth of the Ngunguru River.

The area has a pre-dominantly residential living character; with holiday homes clustered amongst bush clad hills. Rural and rural lifestyle development predominates on the western side of Matapōuri Road. The coastal area includes the Tūtūkākā marina in the harbour.

The Tūtūkākā Structure Plan has been identified as a high priority planning area in recognition of the ‘hub’ or centre it provides for the wider Policy Area. It identifies outcomes for living, working, playing and protecting the area.

Tūtūkākā Coastal Structure Plan(PDF, 3MB)

Waipū Cove and Langs Beach Structure Plan

The area included in the structure plan extends from Uretiti to Bream Tail. It includes a number of small clustered residential living environments along the east coast beaches surrounded by largely rural activity.

The Waipū Cove / Langs Beach Structure Plan has been identified as a high priority planning area recognising the recent residential development and ongoing popularity of this area for holiday residential activity.

The plan identifies outcomes for living, working, playing and protecting the area.

Waipū Cove and Langs Beach Coastal Structure Plan(PDF, 3MB)

Waipū Township Structure Plan

The area included in the structure plan extends from Uretiti to Bream Tail. It includes a number of small clustered residential living environments along the east coast beaches surrounded by largely rural activity.

The Waipū Town Centre has been identified as a 'hub' or commercial service centre for these settlements. 

The Waipū Township Structure Plan has been identified as a high priority planning area recognising the role this particular settlement has to service and provide community facilities for the wider coastal settlement area, including Waipū, Langs Cove and Langs Beach.

The Waipū Township Structure Plan identifies outcomes for living, working, playing and protecting the area. 

Waipū Township Structure Plan(PDF, 2MB)