Maitai Bay
Maitai Bay
1Maitai Bay is also known as Matai Bay. Maitai Bay is divided into two crescent shaped bays, 2Ōhungahunga Bay and 3Waikato Bay. Both bay's have beachs of golden sand with flecks of pearl that roll gently into the all enticing turquoise sea. The bay is backed by low grassy hills, that have cabbage trees, punga (tree ferns) and nikau palms growing on them, which give it a tropical flavour. The bushy headlands that enclose the bay provide a buffer from the ocean swell and wind.
Matai (Maitai) Bay
Attractions and Activities
Maitai Bay is a popular holiday spot ideal for a days sojourn for a picnic. Take your bathers, snorkels, rowing vessels, fishing gear or boat because one can enjoy; safe swimming, snorkelling around the rocky points, rowing around the sheltered and scenic bay, fishing off the rocks or from the beach or boat, walking on the beach or the DOC coastal track to 4Whangatupere Bay, exploring the caverns and the rock pools alive with the myriad forms of tidal marine life.
Bottom middle section of the campsite between both bays.Maitai Bay Access
Access to Maitai Bay is through the Department of Conservation's large campsite,
where the bays await you at the base of the camp. There is a day user’s
carpark and although this camp is very popular during the holiday seasons,
it is easy to find a place to yourself and have a good fishing spot. Maitai
Bay Road is unsealed, but please do not let this put you off, as the short
trip is well worth it.
Camping close to the boat ramp and Waikato Bay.
Waikato Bay
The headland of Joliffe and Maitai Point
separates the two bays. Waikato Bay is the larger of the two bays, and is where
you can launch your boat. The crescent sweep of this sandy bay is quite spectacular.
Walking along this beach past the headland will take you
on to the DOC coastal track. This track though narrow is marked, and climbs
to 5Paraawanui Trig from where you will view
superb views of Maitai Bay and 6Karikari Peninsula,
before descending the ridge to the rocky bay of Whangatupere.
Ohungahunga BayMaori Translations
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1 Maitai
|
good, beautiful, agreeable.
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2 Ōhungahunga
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Ō - The place of
hungahunga - tow; down; nap off a garment. |
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3 Waikato
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Wai - water
kato - flowing flood. |
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4 Whangatupere
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Whanga - Bay
tupere - a small shark |
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5 Paraawanui
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Paraawa - Gale; tempest
nui - large. |
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6 Karikari
|
To strip off or dig
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7 Omahuri
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Oma - move quickly
huri - turn to |
Waikato BayOhungahunga Bay
The sandy beach of Ohungahunga Bay lies between the 7Omahuri
headland on the left, and Joliffe Point to the right. Ngati Kura chiefs used
to hold meetings on the hills of Joliffe Point, and Maitai Point which is
tapu (sacred) to the local iwi.