The Plains - flat out and loving it
The Hauraki Plains and the Shorebird Coast is home to a diverse natural landscape and a hive of local activity. A vast region encompassing no less than twelve communities. The Hauraki Plains & Shorebird Coast contains acres of native forest, idyllic coastline, rolling rural hills and plains and the wide Waihou River.
Settled in the early 1900s, with the help of a huge land drainage programme, the Plains transformed from swampland into profitable farmland.
Ngatea is the largest settlement in the Plains Ward and was established in the early 1900s to service the surrounding rural lands. Ngatea developed slowly until the early 1970’s when the town became the Hauraki Plains County Council’s administration centre.
Land was acquired to form the Ngatea Domain as the focal point of the town. Land was also made available for residential development north of the town. With an increase of traffic on SH2, Ngatea is a busy hub for people travelling between Auckland and Tauranga. The laid back rural lifestyle has enticed some city dwellers to settle in Ngatea and commute to the busy centres of Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga for work.
Ngatea’s Hugh Hayward Domain is the sports hub of the Plains, with a range of clubs within walking distance of the town. The sports hub also boasts the only artificial surface hockey facility in the Thames Valley.
There are a number of smaller settlements spread across the plains including Kaiaua, Kerepehi, Turua, Waitakaruru, Kaihere, Kopuarahi and Patetonga.
The Shorebird Coast became part of the Hauraki District in 2010 and was incorporated into the Plains Ward. The coast is one of the world’s most important ecological coastal and wetland areas for shorebirds. Nearly half the population of the endemic Wrybill are found at Miranda, and over 100 migratory species grace the western shores of the Firth of Thames.
View Map of Ngatea - Launch our online Web Maps Application
See also: Hauraki District | Paeroa Ward | Waihi Ward
Things to do and see...
Build sandcastles, visit the Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre, ride the Hauraki Rail Trail, experience the cafes, crafts and small town vibes, and much more.
Visit the Destination Coromandel website for more information on how to appreciate and enjoy the magical expanse of the Hauraki Plains and Shorebird Coast. Discover its many stories!
Contacts
Visitor Information
Positively Promoting the Plains
Website: www.haurakiplains.co.nz
Health services
Hauraki Plains Health Centre
Phone: 07 867 7521
Address: Dent Street Ngatea
Emergency Services
Ngatea Police Station
Phone: 07 867 0650
Address: Orchard West Road, Ngatea
