Useful resources and links for residents and visitors to Oakura Bay, Whangaruru, Northland
WHANGAREI DISTRICT COUNCIL INFORMATION
Household recycling – for more information on household recycling, click here
Rubbish collection – for the area map and schedule for rural rubbish collection (including Oakura Bay), click here
Mobile Library – for more information about the service provided by the Whangarei Mobile Library – He Huarahi Hakamōhio – click here. To see the rural timetable for Whangaruru, click here
Current and Recently Completed Projects – for up-to-date information on projects recently completed and currently underway by Whangarei District Council, click here
Current Consultations and Feedback Wanted – for up-to-date information about consultations and engagement that WDC are currently undertaking with the community, click here
District Plan Maps – relevant to Oakura Bay as follows:
Environment Map – shows the areas for the Bay. For example, most properties in the Bay are zoned Rural Village Residential, a sub-environment of the Rural Village Environment (RVE). For the relevant chapter in the Operative District Plan pertaining to the rules and other information for the RVE, click here
Resource Areas Map – shows the areas that are specially managed for various reasons.
Coastal Area Map – shows the coastal area, outstanding and high natural character areas.
For all chapters in the Operative District Plan, click here.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Fire – If you want to light a fire, you may need a permit. To find out, click here
For up-to-date weather observations and forecasts crucial for determining fire danger and fire behaviour, click here
Tsunami – for the nearest safe zones for all of Northland (including Oakura Bay), click here
Defibrillator (AED) – for more information and instructions on the use of a defibrillator, click here.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES INFORMATION
Recreational Fishing Rules – everyone who fishes recreationally has a legal requirement to follow the rules. Please note that these rules can change and it is recommended that they be checked regularly. You can do so by visiting the Fisheries New Zealand website – click here.
A brochure on catching finfish in the Upper North Island – a summary of daily size and bag limits – is available to download here.
Swimming Water Quality – Northland Regional Council monitors water quality at popular swimming beaches throughout the Northland region. For up-to-date information on the water quality for any beach in New Zealand, visit the Swim Guide website. There is also an app available to download for your mobile phone. For site specific information, click here for Oakura Bay and here for Ohawini Bay. This and other information can also be found at Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) by visiting here.
Surfing – Surfseeker NZ is the most comprehensive guide to surfing throughout New Zealand. For specific information on Oakura Bay, click here and for nearby Elliot Bay, click here.
For more comprehensive information, visit the Met Service website for the latest information and obtain the Oakura Surf Forecast here.
Further comprehensive information can also be found on the Swell Map website for both surfing and boating. The Oakura Bay surf forecast can be found here.
Walking/Tramping – There are plentiful and varied areas to be discovered on foot in the vicinity of Oakura Bay that are worthy of exploration. Residents of the Bay are also welcome to join the Whangaruru Tramping Club on their regular organised walks – click here for more information.
Further afield, there is an easy forest and beach walk to Whangamumu Harbour and Te Toroa Bay, including a short 10 minute walk to the historic Whangamumu Whaling Station. For more information, click here.
For advanced trampers, the Cape Brett Track is recognised as one of Northland’s finest. Visit the Department of Conservation website for more information on the track here.
For those considering a forest walk, for example in the nearby Russell Forest, please check first with the Department of Conservation website as a number of areas are permanently closed to prevent the spread of kauri dieback. For more information on the Russell Forest, click here.
WEATHER INFORMATION AND TIDE TIMES
Weather Forecast – for all the latest information, up-to-date warnings etc, visit the Met Service website here. For information specific to the Northland region, click here.
Alternatively, visit the Marine Weather website for forecast information. Specific data for Oakura Bay can be found here.
Tide Times – for information on Oakura Bay tide times, visit Tideschart website for tide times and lots more information here.
USEFUL MAPS
ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
Coastal Erosion/Dune Restoration – The Coastal Restoration Trust is a nationwide organisation that brings together the knowledge and experience of communities, iwi, management authorities and other agencies to restore coastal ecosystems. For more information and access to a number of useful resources, visit their website.
Pest Control – The Predator Free movement is sweeping New Zealand as people realise it is imperative to save our unique native bird, bat and insect species before they are devastated by introduced predators. To find our more and how you can get involved, visit their website.
To find out more on keeping your own backyard predator free – view the Beginners Guide here.
Wetlands – New Zealand Wetland Trust of New Zealand aims to increase knowledge and appreciation of wetland values, increase understanding of wetland functions and processes and aims to ensure landowners and government agencies commit to wetland protection, enhancement and restoration. For more information, visit their website.
For information on wetlands and much more, visit the Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research website. Landcare Research has also made available a number of useful publications, including Te reo o te repo: the voice of the wetland available here and Wetland Restoration. A handbook for New Zealand freshwater systems available here.