Omaha Cove, also known as Leigh Harbour, is a bay in the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located to the north-east of the township of Leigh in the Rodney local board area.
| Omaha Cove | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Omaha Cove Location within the Auckland Region | |
| Location | Auckland Region, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 36°17′17″S 174°48′36″E / 36.288°S 174.810°E |
| Ocean/sea sources | Omaha Bay, Pacific Ocean |
| Settlements | Leigh |
Geography
editThe Omaha Cove is adjacent to the township of Leigh, and is a smaller bay within the larger Omaha Bay. The Leigh Scenic Reserve is found directly north of the cove,[1] as well as the Omaha Marae.
History
editThe harbour's traditional name is Whānga ō Maha, and it is within the rohe of Ngāti Manuhiri. The cove was an important source of sea resources and shelter for Ngāti Manuhiri, and the northern shore is the location of a traditional kāinga.[2] From 1858, Ngāti Manuhiri rangatira Te Kiri Kaiparaoa ran a trading service and commercial fishing operation from the harbour.[2]
The township of Leigh was established in 1858 to the south of the harbour, when the Crown sold eight allotments.[3] John Wyatt and C. S. Clarke were early European settlers in the area in the 1860s. In 1923, the Wyatt family established a sawmill at the mouth of the harbour, providing boxes for the fruit growers in the area.[4]
In 1957, Leigh Fisheries (also known as Lee Fish) began operating from the harbour.[5] Omaha Marae opened to the north of the cove in 1986.[6]
Amenities
editThe Leigh Harbour Boat Ramp is a fishing spot for anglers,[7] and is the closest boat ramp that can access the Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve to the north.[8] The Leigh Harbour Walkway borders much of the cove, between Cape Rodney Road and Leigh township.[9] The walkway closed in November 2022 due to landslides.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Leigh Scenic Reserve". LINZ. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ a b Ngāti Manuhiri; The Crown (21 May 2011). Deed of Settlement: Documents (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Commercial Record". New Zealander. Vol. XV, no. 1366. 21 May 1859. p. 3 – via Papers Past.
- ^ Waters, Judy (1 March 2017). "History – Early Leigh". Local Matters. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Our Story". Leigh Fish. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Gallery". Omaha Marae. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Leigh Harbour Boat Ramp: Nicky Sinden's top weekend family boat & trailer destinations". The New Zealand Herald. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Cape Rodney Okakari Point Marine Reserve (Goat Island) Hauraki Gulf Marine Park" (PDF). doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
- ^ Janssen, Peter (January 2021). Greater Auckland Walks. New Holland Publishers. p. 20-21. ISBN 978-1-86966-516-6. Wikidata Q118136068.
- ^ "Significant landslide keeps Omaha Cove walkway closed". Department of Conservation. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2023.