Coastal Monitoring

We conduct various different types of monitoring around the Waikato Region's coastal marine area to assess the state of the environment and for other purposes (e.g. to assess the suitability of the water for contact recreation). You can find more information on these monitoring programmes by clicking the links below.

Coastal water quality for contact recreation. We monitor a number of popular open coast beaches during the summer months (November to March) to assess the suitability of the water for recreation such as swimming and surfing. 

Estuarine water quality. We monitor water quality in Whaingaroa (Raglan) Harbour and Tairua Harbour every month to assess the suitability of the water for ecosystem health. 

Regional Estuary Monitoring Programme. This monitoring programmes uses intertidal sediment-dwelling organisms (such as shellfish and marine worms) and the characteristics of the sediment in which they occur as indicators of the state of monitored estuaries. We currently monitor Whaingaroa (Raglan) Harbour, Tairua Harbour and the Firth of Thames.

Hauraki Gulf community shellfish monitoring. As part of the Hauraki Gulf Forum community shellfish monitoring project, we support annual shellfish monitoring in two Coromandel Estuaries.

Shoreline change monitoring. We collect beach profile data at over 60 sites on the eastern coastline of the Coromandel Peninsula, and at Ngarunui Beach at Raglan. This monitoring programme has provided data on changes in the position of the dune at Coromandel beaches since 1979. We also have cameras installed at Tairua and Ngarunui beach (Raglan), which provide data on rip currents, and shoreline change. 

Sea level monitoring. We have water level recorders installed at five sites around the Waikato Region, which provide long term records of sea level rise. these sites are at Whitianga Wharf(external link), Thames (Tararu)(external link), Manu Bay(external link), Raglan Wharf(external link), and Kawhia Wharf(external link).