Living in Northland

Project summary

The Hātea River Channel Working Group was established October 2006, comprising representatives from Northland Regional Council, Whāngārei District Council, Northland Marine Development Group and Whāngārei Harbour Marina Management Trust representatives.

The group was chaired by Peter Jensen (NRC Councilllor).

Main objectives

• Establish a 25 metre wide channel at 1.0 metre below Chart Datum from Main 4 (Port Whāngārei) to the Victoria Bridge (Town Basin)
• Upgrade the Aids to Navigation on the Hātea River

Additional objectives:

1. Hydrographic survey of Hātea River Channel
2. Information gathering on dredging method alternatives
3. Estimate of dredge spoil material
4. Planning for dredge spoil disposal
5. Estimate of Aids to Navigation costs
6. Budgeting by Northland Regional Council and Whāngārei District Council
7. Tender for dredging
8. Resource Consent application
9. Purchase of Aid to Navigation components
10. Fabrication of Aids to Navigation at Northland Regional Council Ōpua workshop
11. Dredging operations
12. Aids to Navigation installation
13. Post dredging hydrographic survey

The project costs were estimated at $400,000 excluding GST, comprising $300,000 for dredging and $100,000 for the Aids to Navigation upgrade.  Costs were split equally between Northland Regional Council and Whāngārei District Council.

The dredging and Aids to Navigation upgrade was completed in December 2008, with the two primary objectives achieved.

View maps and survey results

Aids to Navigation

This map shows buoys and beacons along the length of the Hātea River Channel from Kissing Point to the Town Basin Marina.

Whāngārei Harbour

The navigation beacons between Marsden Point and Onerahi are owned and maintained by Northport Limited.  The number of beacons was recently rationalised to reflect the reduced number and size of ships using the navigation channels since port operations were moved from Port Whangarei to Marsden Point.  Two chartlets showing the remaining navigation beacons are available below to assist Whangarei Harbour users understand how the navigation channels are now marked.

Download the aids to navigation chartlet - Whangarei upper harbour (157 KB)

Download the aids to navigation chartlet - Whangarei lower harbour (145 KB)

April 2010 Hydrographic Survey results 

Whāngārei Harbour and Hātea River 

Download Victoria Bridge to H20 Beacon (860 KB)

Download H20 Beacon to H2 Buoy (1MB)

Download H2 Buoy to K27 Beacon (1MB)

Kioreroa Reach

Download K27 Beacon to K11 Beacon (1MB)

Download K11 Beacon to Onerahi Boat Ramp (1MB)

Download Onerahi Boat Ramp to Wellington Rock (1MB)