4 Jan 2026

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve was established in August 1997 and is managed by the Department of Conservation.  It is the only Marine Reserve in Hawke’s Bay and covers an area of about 1.3 square nautical miles (446 hectares), extending 1 nautical mile offshore from the mean high water mark between Blackhead and Aramoana beaches.  At low tide a board rock platform is exposed, giving access to a fascinating variety of marine life.

A flood event in March 2012, coupled with a 4.6 earthquake shortly before which had loosened the hillsides, devastated the coastal reserve at Aramoana beach.  Many of the hill faces collapsed, burying parts of the beach, which unleashed large amounts of sediment into the marine reserve waters.

This was a well-supported tramp with 17 participants.  We welcomed eight new trampers; an extended family of 5 (who met us at Blackhead), Unathi (who with an hour’s notice was able to meet us at Pukahu so we only left 5 minutes after the assigned 9.30 departure time), Margaret who we picked up in Waipawa and Brendan  our driver for the day.

It was a perfect day for a beach walk; the temperature was pleasant, around 17°C, an over cast day, a slight breeze and hard sand to walk on as low tide was 1.00 pm.  It is now possible to walk on sand all the way from Blackhead to Aramoana and beyond.  The landslide that had come down in 2012 has slowly but surely been eroded away to reveal sand and a clear view from Blackhead to Aramoana.

The group walked north of Aramoana where we stopped for lunch.  The rocks and rock platform were exposed, with many interesting formations and requiring our attention.  Out on the platform was a lone seal.  There were numerous jelly fish on the damp sand.  Bird life was minimal.

Around 2.30 we said farewell to the  family and headed back to Waipawa to return Margaret to her car.  Now, left turning out of Tamumu Road on to High Street, Waipawa with the Tucker Box Diary on our left, how could we resist the pull of their amazing ice creams?  Which we didn’t.

You were a great group to tramp with, thank you for your company.  A special thanks to Brendan for driving.

Party:  Brendan Mc, Christine L, Donna W, Janice L, Judith M, Judith R, Lou C, Margaret S, Selina C, Susan L, Louise, Chris & Vivienne P, Noah, & Charlotte G, Unathi Q, Anne D

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