Whanganui Inlet

"Westhaven Inlet" redirects here. For the marina in Auckland, see Westhaven Marina.

Whanganui Inlet
Whanganui Inlet from Knuckle Hill
Map showing the location of Whanganui Inlet
Map showing the location of Whanganui Inlet
LocationTasman District
Nearest cityNelson
Coordinates40°36′S 172°33′E / 40.600°S 172.550°E / -40.600; 172.550

Whanganui Inlet, commonly known by its former name Westhaven Inlet or West Haven, is a large natural indentation in the northwest coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

The inlet is a drowned river valley running parallel to the west coast. It is some 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) in length and on average is about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) wide. A narrow channel halfway along the valley connects the inlet to the Tasman Sea.[1] This channel is located 19 kilometres (12 mi) southwest of Farewell Spit.[2]

It is still in a largely unspoilt natural state, with seagrass and salt marsh providing an environment friendly to sea life. It is a popular site for fishing and boating, and much of the inlet is protected by a wildlife management area and by the Westhaven Marine Reserve.[3] 42 species of water bird have been seen in the Inlet, including South Island oyster catcher, bar-tailed godwit, knot, banded dotterel and banded rail.[4]

In 1846 it was reported that ships of up to 80 tons could cross the bar and that one had taken a cargo of coal away from outcrops on islands at the south end of the harbour.[5] Logging continued until at least 1952,[6] there was a flax mill[7] and gold was mined. In 1908 the town of Rakopi was established opposite the entrance, with a telegraph office, sawmill, wharf, school and houses. Declining resources, an economic downturn and the dangerous passage for ships through the entrance caused its decline.[4] The Benara Timber Co and Westhaven Coal Co were still operating at the south end of the Inlet in 1941.[8]

  1. ^ Freeman, Leonie. "Westhaven (Whanganui Inlet) marine and wildlife reserve". AA New Zealand. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  2. ^ Walrond, Carl (22 April 2015). "Whanganui Inlet". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Whanganui Inlet". Tasman District Council. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Ecological investigation of Whanganui Inlet" (PDF). DoC. 1989.
  5. ^ "NOTES of an EXPEDITION to Kawatiri and Araura, on the WESTERN COAST of the MIDDLE ISLAND, performed by Messrs. Heaphy and Brunner. NELSON EXAMINER AND NEW ZEALAND CHRONICLE". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 5 September 1846. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  6. ^ "ACCIDENTS. PRESS". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 11 October 1952. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Scrimegeour's Flax Mill, Whanganui Inlet". Nelson Provincial Museum. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  8. ^ "ROYALTY ON TIMBER AND COAL. NELSON EVENING MAIL". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 12 August 1941. Retrieved 4 January 2023.