Whanganui Inlet, commonly known by its former name Westhaven Inlet or West Haven, is a large natural indentation in the northwest coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
| Whanganui Inlet | |
|---|---|
 Whanganui Inlet from Knuckle Hill | |
.png)  | |
| Location | Tasman District |
| Nearest city | Nelson |
| Coordinates | 40°36′S 172°33′E / 40.600°S 172.550°E |
The inlet is a drowned river valley running parallel to the west coast. It is some 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) in length and on average is about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) wide. A narrow channel halfway along the valley connects the inlet to the Tasman Sea.[1] This channel is located 19 kilometres (12 mi) southwest of Farewell Spit.[2]
It is still in a largely unspoilt natural state, with seagrass and salt marsh providing an environment friendly to sea life. It is a popular site for fishing and boating, and much of the inlet is protected by a wildlife management area and by the Westhaven Marine Reserve.[3] 42 species of water bird have been seen in the Inlet, including South Island oyster catcher, bar-tailed godwit, knot, banded dotterel and banded rail.[4]
In 1846 it was reported that ships of up to 80 tons could cross the bar and that one had taken a cargo of coal away from outcrops on islands at the south end of the harbour.[5] Logging continued until at least 1952,[6] there was a flax mill[7] and gold was mined. In 1908 the town of Rakopi was established opposite the entrance, with a telegraph office, sawmill, wharf, school and houses. Declining resources, an economic downturn and the dangerous passage for ships through the entrance caused its decline.[4] The Benara Timber Co and Westhaven Coal Co were still operating at the south end of the Inlet in 1941.[8]
References
edit- ^ Freeman, Leonie. "Westhaven (Whanganui Inlet) marine and wildlife reserve". AA New Zealand. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ^ Walrond, Carl (22 April 2015). "Whanganui Inlet". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ^ "Whanganui Inlet". Tasman District Council. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018.
- ^ a b "Ecological investigation of Whanganui Inlet" (PDF). DoC. 1989.
- ^ "NOTES of an EXPEDITION to Kawatiri and Araura, on the WESTERN COAST of the MIDDLE ISLAND, performed by Messrs. Heaphy and Brunner. NELSON EXAMINER AND NEW ZEALAND CHRONICLE". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 5 September 1846. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ "ACCIDENTS. PRESS". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 11 October 1952. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ "Scrimegeour's Flax Mill, Whanganui Inlet". Nelson Provincial Museum. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ "ROYALTY ON TIMBER AND COAL. NELSON EVENING MAIL". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 12 August 1941. Retrieved 4 January 2023.