Te tiaki punaha hauropi takutai moana

Looking after coastal ecosystems

A resource collection dedicated to protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems.

Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland's coastline features a diverse collection of dunes, saline habitats, freshwater wetlands, coastal scrub and forest.

Their cultural significance gives Tāmaki Makaurau much of its recreational identity. Ecologically, our coastal ecosystems are rich in species that are often threatened. 

We need to maintain a balance to protect these values for future Aucklanders to enjoy.

Start with these resources

Aotearoa’s Coastal Change Dataset

This coastal change dataset for Aotearoa New Zealand provides nationwide coverage of coastal erosion and accretion patterns from the 1940s to present day.

Caring for Northland's dunes

The importance of dunes and their restoration.

How dunes work

How beaches work before and after storms.

Coastal ecosystems planting guides

Read about supporting and restoring coastal ecosystems. See how planting guides for coastal cliff, dune, wetland and forest ecosystems.

Find out more

Coastal restoration handbook

A technical guide to backdune restoration.

Dune restoration

Find out about coastal foredunes and how you can help restore them.

Coastal sand dunes form and function

A background document on coastal dunes.

Coastal Dunes

Overview of coastal dune ecosystem

Sand binder plantings

A summary of information on collecting, growing and planting spinifex and pingao.

PDF download 1.15 MB

Weed control on sand dunes

Resources for controlling pest plants on dunes.

Litter Intelligence - Sustainable Coastlines

We cannot improve what we do not measure. Litter Intelligence is a long-term programme led by Sustainable Coastlines that collects litter data, provides powerful insights about the problem, and inspires widespread action for solutions.

Litter Intelligence

Find related ecosystems

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.

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.

Oioi, knobby clubrush sedgeland ecosystem (DN5)

Large dune plains such as those at Whatipū and Papakanui Spit occur with accreting coastlines behind mobile dunes. The mosaic of dry and ephemeral plant communities provide habitat for many native fauna.

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.

Shore bindweed, knobby clubrush gravelfield or stonefield ecosystem (SA4)

Gravelfield and stonefield ecosystems are rare in Auckland, developing on beach ridges. The diversity of plant communities that establish here depend on the age of the gravels and proximity to the shoreline.

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.

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.