Beaches and Bays

You can access or download the complete list thkrough the following official channels:

View Online: Use the New Zealand Gazetteer web application to search and view all official and unofficial place names, including cities, towns, suburbs, localities, mountains, rivers, and bays.

Download Data: For a “big list” in a data format (like CSV or GIS formats), you can download the complete dataset from the LhyINZ Data Service (NZ Place Names layer). This data is comprehensive and includes the name, type of place, and geographic coordinates.

Suburbs and Localities: A specific dataset focusing on community boundaries in urban (suburbs) and rural (localities) areas, including population estimates, is available as the NZ Suburbs and Localities layer.
General List of Major Cities and Towns

While the full official gazetteer is an extensive database, the main urban areas and prominent towns are more commonly listed for general use. These include the main cities:

Fisherman’s Rock – Fisherman’s Rock is a well known spot on Waiheke for fishing. Located on the north side of Waiheke via Newton Road, it is a rocky terrain accessed by a small path and a couple of flights of steps.

Kennedy Point Pier – Kennedy Point Pier is located near the SeaLink ferry terminal. It is a man-made rock-walled pier with a flat concrete path. You can fish on either side of the pier or at the end by the marker flag. This spot is a perfect place to teach young ones to fish.

Orapiu Wharf – Orapiu Wharf is a popular place for many Waiheke locals to go fishing. It is located on the other side of Waiheke called the “Bottom End”, so expect a long drive. The wharf offers stunning views of the surrounding waters and landscapes including Ponui Island and the Tamaki Strait.

The Esplanade – This fishing spot is located in Oneroa/Blackpool on the gravel road called The Esplanade. The fishing spot is easy to get to and is accessed on foot. Locals have caught kahawai here.

Sandy Bay – Sandy Bay is a surprisingly quiet beach with plenty of easily accessible rocks to fish off. Sandy Bay has parking and toilets close by.

Enclosure Bay – The rocks at Enclosure Bay are easily accessible. Past the bay is open ocean, making it a great spot to fish. Many snags do occur here, but if you’re lucky you might come across an orca (killer whale). Note Enclosure Bay can be very busy during warmer months so parking can be limited.

Onetangi Beach – Onetangi Beach is ideal for surf casting. The beach stretches 2 km so there are ample fishing spots. Just be wary of people swimming.

Matiatia Wharf – The second ferry terminal at Matiatia Wharf is a perfect family fishing spot. Best accessed outside of ferry hours. Locals fish here at night for snapper, trevally and squid.