Coastal restoration and rewilding – Matarangi

Our Council continues the coastal restoration programme in Matarangi to restore dunes, improve native habitats, and build resilience to coastal erosion and climate change. The big change to how we previously do things is to integrate protection and habitat expansion for our native fauna. This requires ‘rewilding’ the grassed reserve landward of the coastal dunes.  See more details below.

Matarangi has been selected as the pilot site for this long-term restoration initiative due to the large available grassed reserve to allow for ecological habitat expansion, aligning with our key coastal management strategies, the Shoreline Management Pathways (SMP) and Coastal Management Strategy.

• Planting native dune species
• Weed and pest control
• Earthworks to reshape dunes
• Ceasing mowing along certain grassed coastal reserves to allow natural rewilding

Yes, some areas will appear more natural and less manicured. Low-growing native plants will be used to preserve views, develop additional ecological habitat and give a tidy look. We will evaluate reserve use case-by-case.

The process of rewilding is to stop activities such as mowing and allow nature (natives and weeds in some cases) to return areas back to habitat. Active support of the wilding process may include interplanting native plant species among existing exotic grass habitats. This process is supported by the Shoreline management pathway as part of setting back the dunes. It is also a requirement of the skink management plans and Wildlife Act Permits to create habitat to mitigate the effects of habitat loss during dune restoration site preparation.

Other positive outcomes from reducing mowing include reducing carbon emissions and maintenance costs.

Some other programme examples:

• Hamilton
• Horowhenua
• Our Changing World podcast 

It is the process of weed removal and/or spraying, renourishment and reshaping of fresh beach sand for new plants, and ongoing maintenance. Contractors move sand from the beach with machines like an excavator and bobcat to bring sand to the base of the dune (or the eroded toe of the dune).  We build up the dune and form a sloping profile of clean sand and then we immediately plant spinifex and pīngao into the new shape to stabilise the sand.  This work is done between May to September so that the planting we do in winter is more likely to establish well.

When we move sand from the beach with machines to bring sand to the base of the dune (or the eroded toe of the dune) and build dunes we call this a “push up”. We do this to create a dune that has a high point against the land which slopes to a low point at the toe on the beach (the seaward face).

We do sand push ups to form a sacrificial buffer of sand up against and over the erosion escarpment (the steep faced of the inland edge of the beach) and create good shape and surface for growing dune plants.   

Soft protection such as dune and beach nourishment/replenishment (e.g. sand push-ups) and wetland restoration and enhancement can assist in reducing the impacts of natural hazards on coastal development while protecting other values including cultural, coastal habitats and species, landscapes, public access and recreation.  Sand push-ups are designed to provide a sacrificial barrier of sand which is eroded away during storms, protecting property on the landward side from erosion. Following large storm events, sand push-ups can be undertaken again to reinstate the sand.

Find out more here

Moko skinks (at risk, relict) and Shore skinks (at risk, declining) are present in some of our coastal dunes. Native lizards and other native fauna are either threatened or at risk of extinction and are fully protected by the Wildlife Act (1953), which means they cannot be harmed or disturbed without a permit from the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Council’s dune restoration work may disturb skink habitat through earthworks and removal of pest plants.  Before we do this work, council may need to improve or create new habitat for skinks to move to. In some locations we will need to try and catch as many skinks as we can and move them to nearby locations with good habitat. This process of catch and release will require a Wildlife Act permit and qualified skink handlers.

While Coastcare’s work helps these species by creating and restoring habitat, this means extra care needs to be taken not to harm or disturb them during the restoration process. See more here.

In 2024, with the assistance of Waikato Regional Council, the coastcare programme has made an application under the Wildlife act for approval of a Wildlife Act skink permit to proceed with Earthworks.  Approval has yet to be granted.  Permit conditions will likely require that new habitat for skinks often needs to be established nearby prior to undertaking earthworks in areas where skinks are known to live.  Another pro-skink action is a response to a community suggestion to reduce reserve mowing along the margin where reserves meet dunes.  Reducing the mown area provides more skink habitat. 

We know that Muehlenbeckia is good habitat for skinks and try to include it, and other species at sites where skinks are present, or where we think skinks are probably present. What is positive is a heightened focus on coastal restoration to protect native wildlife and their habitats, and that is actually what Coastcare is about – they’re about protecting what lives here as well as growing plants for dune resilience.

Read more here

• Healthier dune ecosystems
• Added and enhanced native biodiversity and habitat
• Greater coastal resilience to erosion and storms
• Delayed need for hard coastal defences
• Educational and volunteer opportunities for the community

You can contact the team at any time to address any concerns by emailing ourcoast@tcdc.govt.nz

Supporting science:

• Skinks require safe refuge, water and food.
• Low, dense, messy grasses, logs/driftwood, and plants that produce fruit and nectar are ideal for coastal lizards.
• Evidence of the presence of skinks and katipō spider, and protection under the Wildlife Act 1953.
• Evidence of the need to restore the foredunes.

Approach to rewilding:

• The approach will be to let the grass grow with minimal input. We will introduce native species to grow within unmowed grass to increase the speed of the natural process of vegetation succession. In most cases, within 2-3 years, a mix of ankle-high grass and native groundcovers should be sufficient habitat for lizards to move around safely.
• Cost reduction from not paying contractors to maintain mowing.
• Cost reduction from less annual turf spraying.
• Reduce carbon emissions and increased carbon uptake.

May create more litter and rodent problems:

• Stoats and rats live in tall grasses. Set-up predator controls.
• Annual beach clean-ups.
• Sufficient rubbish bins.

Visually untidy or blocking views:

• Low grasses and ground covers. No trees or shrubs will be planted, unless requested by community.
• Plant pest control to remove environmental weed pests.

Fire risk:

• FENZ fire bans and educational tools to continue to mitigate fire risk on beaches.

Loss of green space:

• Areas will be assessed for value as an open green space and the current level and type of use.
• Provide regular updates to stakeholders as needed.

Useful References:

https://www.pukehinabeach.co.nz/coast-care/

https://www.coastalrestorationtrust.org.nz/resources/crt-resources/our-coast-video-series/

https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/naturally-uncommon-ecosystems/coastal/active-sand-dunes/

Stage one of the Matarangi pilot project begins in June 2025, targeting 600m of dune frontage in 200m sections at a time. It will likely take 2–3 years for new habitats to establish. Future similar projects will extend next to Whangapoua and Cooks Beach.

Yes. The work supports legal obligations under:

• Wildlife Act 1953
• Reserves Act 1977
• New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010

It is also a key part of delivering the Council’s Shoreline Management Plans adopted in 2022.

Our Council, along with Waikato Regional Council, have just applied for a five-year Wildlife Act permit to undertake this work.

Yes. Our Council has resource consent that allow work like push-ups and soft engineering with machinery to be done.  This work may be done proactively (before an event causes significant erosion) and as remedial work on the beach after an event of significant erosion.  Resource consent has been approved to enable Council to create small scale push-ups for up to 1,000m and large-scale push-ups of up to 25,000m along sandy beaches. Moving small volumes of sand under 100m in coastal areas Council manages is a permitted activity.

However, we need to now consider the Wildlife Act 1953 for any potential change in native fauna habitat. 

This project is being implemented under existing mandates and therefore does not require public consultation. However, our Council is committed to transparent communication and community. If you have any queries, you can contact the team by emailing ourcoast@tcdc.govt.nz.

In 2024 Council confirmed its commitment to coastal restoration and approved an operational budget over the 2024-2034 LTP to support coastal restoration work across the district. Coastal restoration work is also supported financially by Waikato Regional Council in a limited capacity.

Sand dunes are our natural barrier to the sea.  If well looked after, dune systems lessen coastal hazards and erosion, they provide a backdrop to our summer holidays, picturesque views, and habitat for those crazy plants and animal adapted to live between two works – land and sea.

Sand dunes are dynamic, relying on wind and erosion to move landward and then seaward (self-repair).  Native dune plants are critical to this function of sand dunes, as fast-growing overground runners grow seaward down erosion scarps.  As the new plants establish, the plants trap windblown sand and build up new sand dunes. Runners catch and get buried by the sand and new growth pushes up extending seaward. Sand dunes are also significant to Iwi and Hapū as some sand dunes contain human remains (kōiwi), midden and other archaeological heritage. 

Many sand dunes in the district are heavily modified, with back dunes often lost to development such as roads, housing, and infrastructure. This disturbance leaves the land behind dunes more vulnerable to erosion, posing risks to public and private property, essential infrastructure, and community services like transport. Degraded dunes also provide poor habitats for native biodiversity, leading to reduced plant and animal diversity. They are less effective at holding sand, resulting in increased sand drift onto roads, properties, and drains. Additionally, exotic plants (invasive weeds) can alter dune shapes, reducing their ability to absorb wave impacts during storms. Restored sand dunes provide a greater level of coastal resilience and better outcomes for indigenous biodiversity.  Degraded sand dune systems are less likely function naturally and are less community resilience to coastal inundation events. 

In some sections of coastline around the district, Council will proceed with engineering solutions like improving existing hard coastal defences, stopbanks and raising roads. Where coastal dunes are present, Council has adopted soft engineering solutions as generally most appropriate, with the intention to maintain or enhance the dune.  For many sites retreat and relocation of assets may then follow.  Coastal dune restoration work is intended to give more time between now and the projected landward retreat of the existing dune, evident in the coastal adaptation strategies (CAPs) outlined in the Thames Coromandel Coastal Adaptation Pathways iReport. 

If they are maintained to exist and not lost to ‘coastal squeeze’, yes, however if we intend to ‘hold the line’ and limit the ability for coastal dunes to fluctuate naturally then they won’t. Coastal erosion is not really an issue unless ‘things’ are in the way. However, we can manage the effects of coastal erosion by restoring and rebuilding dunes.  If we want to preserve the natural coastal environment, realigning or retreating our coastal properties and infrastructure is required, although restoration helps to delay the onset of these coastal adaptation options. Coastal restoration is an adaptive action Council is taking to address challenges presented by sea-level rise, more several storm events and biodiversity loss. 

Dune restoration = communities adapting to the future

The hero species are spinifex and pīngao.  Both species are naturally occurring in coastal areas across the Thames Coromandel District, where there is moving sand. Pīngao is now classed as at risk – declining. Established spinifex and pīngao plants catch sand and rebuild dunes after storms when conditions are suitable. Native dune plants growing in sand dunes and cope with heat, full sun, strong winds, abrasive wind-blown sand, low nutrient availability.  Wind moves sand and buries and exposes plants.  

Coastal dunes occupy the exposed coastal margin along parts of the 400km of Thames Coromandel coastline. Coastal dunes play a vital role in protecting coastal environments and coastal ecosystems. Their importance includes:

1. Natural Barrier: Coastal dunes act as a buffer against storms, high tides, and sea level rise. They absorb wave energy, reducing the impact of erosion on inland areas.
2. Erosion Control: By stabilising the shoreline, dunes help prevent coastal erosion, keeping the beach intact and protecting valued assets and infrastructure.
3. Biodiversity: providing habitat for various plants, birds, and animals adapted to the continuously moving windblown sand and salty environment. Dunes were once abundant and are now classed as naturally uncommon ecosystems.
4. Sand Reservoir: They act as a reserve of sand, gradually replenishing beaches, especially after storm events.
5. Carbon Sequestration: Vegetation on coastal dunes, like grasses, helps capture and store carbon, contributing to the fight against climate change.
6. Recreational and Aesthetic Value: Coastal dunes are important for tourism and recreation, offering beautiful landscapes for visitors.

Coastal development has created ‘coastal squeeze’, which limits the space available for self-repair (ability for the shoreline to erode landwards and build seawards). As sea levels are predicted to rise, the ability to adapt and move inland is constrained by roads, reserves and private properties. Sand dunes have been degraded through modification for subdivision, infrastructure, and recreational open space, along with the infestation of weeds and pest animals, and increased pressure for public access. This interferes with the natural movement of sand and the presence of native dune species like spinifex and pīngao is an important factor for dunes to self-repair seawards.  As a result, our highly modified and degraded dune systems are less able to support community and coastal resilience.

Holding back the tide and defending the land from erosion from seawalls, rock placement and other hard structures has been expensive and sometimes destructive.  Communities involved in coastal dune restoration accept the need to strike a balance between human needs for resilience and ecological needs. Iwi, key stakeholders, the public, communities and large organisations like the Council, Waikato Regional Council and the Department of Conservation are involved in restoring coastal dunes and are vital to the restoration process. These people don’t just provide cost effective, willing workforces.  They bring current and historic knowledge of the area and a long-term commitment to restoration.  They have a powerful incentive to restore local sections of coastline, and they advocate well for good solutions.  Our communities contribute practical expertise and get involved in adaptive management (learning by doing). Forming a buffer against coastal hazards (natural processes) requires a balance between community, environment and cost.

Modified dune systems can be restored to improve their ability to function and provide the benefit of community resilience, however, they require (in most cases) specific approaches to get them back to a state that allows for ideal function to respond to coastal risks.  

Volunteers, contractors and Council staff are involved in ongoing programmes for weed control in coastal dunes.  For sand dunes, the term “weed” covers a wide range of species.  There are many plants that are unwanted in the sand dune landscape.  Weeds interfere with the growth of desirable species like spinifex, pīngao, Muehlenbeckia, sand coprosma, knobby club rush, pimelia. Native species are not only vital to dune repair but are also important habitat for native fauna.  Many weed species can change the physical characteristics of the dune environment causing the dunes have less resilience to storm events, unable to recover from erosion, or make the dunes more habitable for other damaging weed species.

Weeds have established in dunes from seed originating on nearby properties (windblown), from garden waste (fly tipping), deliberate planting, and via dirty gardening tools.  Species that were once considered OK are now recognised as problematic. Many species that grow happily in a garden can quickly dominate in a dune environment and suppress native vegetation.  

Community Groups and many neighbours undertake manual weeding in dunes where it’s practical to do so. This work is effective, however the length of the coastline and the scale of the weed control required means that machines and chemicals (herbicide) are used to control specific weeds and sites.  In parts of the coastline where community groups are smaller and less active mechanical and chemical weed control is more likely.  Our contractors, staff, and some community groups have Growsafe certification, and they have been trained to identify specific weeds and apply the right chemical control.  Normally knapsack sprayers are used, and this enables very accurate application of chemical.

Spray signs are place on site before spraying to identify areas where spraying is taking place or has recently taken place.  We do not spray at beaches during school holidays.

Where large areas of vegetation need to be removed our contractors and staff sometimes use machines like an excavator or bobcat to scrape and remove vegetation and create bare sand.  This work can look destructive; however, it is part of a healthy restoration project.  We bury the weedy vegetation in-situ rather than carting away dump to waste.  This is followed up by reshaping which involves moving sand from the beach against the seaward edge of the remainder of the dune. 

We are controlling pest animals on sand dunes because animals, like rabbits eat pīngao and other important dune species.  This ruins the work done by volunteers and Council.  Losing plants to hungry pests makes restoration work less effective and replanting costs ratepayers more.

Rats, mice, hedgehogs, stoats and cats are predators of skinks and shorebirds, and compete for resources and food with lizards.  Just like forests, pest control is critical to improving outcomes for native species living in dunes.

Walking though dunes can damage plants and habitat for species like skinks, the Amber snail, spiders and dotterels.  Spinifex and pīngao are sensitive to trampling.  Trampling reduces their growth and spread and their ability to stabilise sand is reduced, making dunes more vulnerable to erosion. Barriers and temporary fencing are sometimes installed to discourage people from moving through areas where restoration has occurred or signal areas that people should stay away from.

Marked access ways also provide people with access to the beach restricting the movement off these access ways and onto our sensitive dune habitats. 

When spinifex and pīngao are present on foredunes, other dune species benefit.  Windblown sand can migrate into dune hollows and sand replenishment benefits. Native birds and insects relish the presence of pīngao.  The rare New Zealand dotterel, the New Zealand pipit and the Australasian harrier have been observed nesting amongst pīngao, which is also an important food source for several species of moth and butterfly.

In 2019, Thames Coromandel District Council initiated work with Royal HaskoningDHV on shoreline management planning.  Over three years, community-led coastal adaptation pathways were developed based on tolerable or intolerable levels of risk to people, property, the environment and taonga from climate change-related coastal hazards. Significant engagement and consultation were undertaken as part of developing these pathways. The recommended pathways seek to address and adapt to the risks from coastal hazards.

In 2022, Council adopted the Thames Coromandel Coastal Adaptation Pathways iReport.  The report included adaptation strategies for 138 pathways. These pathways guide what adaptation looks like for the district’s coastal communities now and into the future. The iReport is the primary document guiding operational work to implement the strategies. A common strategy across the east coast is restoring and maintaining coastal dunes so that they function better and improve coastal resilience.

In 2023, Council began implementing the adaptation strategies for sections of the coastline managed by Council. Coastal restoration, including soft engineering, are options that have been identified as immediate short to medium term actions are required.