Coastal Conversations Bring Communities Together for Seaweek 2025

During Seaweek 2025, four vibrant coastal communities in Whangārei, Waipū, Ruakākā, Whananaki, and Ngunguru – joined forces with Northland Regional Council and Whangārei District Council to host a series of Coastal Conversations. These events brought locals together with hapū, schools, community groups, and organisations like CoastCare, the Coastal Restoration Trust, and Seaweek to spark open kōrero about the future of our coastlines. 

The gatherings created space for people to chat about coastal challenges, celebrate the amazing mahi already happening, hear from coastal experts, and learn how to protect and adapt to the changes ahead. 

A standout moment came from renowned coastal scientist Jim Dahm, who shared insights from his 40+ years of experience. Jim broke down how beaches work, what causes erosion, and how experts can tell the difference between temporary changes and long-term damage.  

People also learned about the vital role sand dunes play in protecting our coast. Key native plants like spinifex (kōwhangatara/tihetihe) and pīngao help trap sand and build strong dunes. However, weeds and introduced grasses can weaken these systems, and climate change is adding even more pressure.  

“Jim’s passion for nature-based solutions, as well as his years of experience in implementing them, really shone through,” says Northland Regional Council Senior Biodiversity Advisor – Coastal Biodiversity, Laura Shaft.  

“Now’s the time to bring back native dune ecosystems and give them the best chance for long-term resilience. Jim’s message really resonated with many of the people there. People gained an appreciation for how dunes act as natural barriers, protecting coastal communities from storms and erosion.”  

The events also highlighted the powerful role hapū and community CoastCare groups play in restoring and maintaining these natural defences. 

 Waipū Cove Reserve Board shared stories from nearly 20 years of CoastCare projects—complete with before-and-after photos showing the shift from rock walls to more sustainable methods. Their efforts even won the Coastal Restoration Trust’s award for best restoration project in 2017. 

Other highlights included a presentation by Patuharakeke’s Te Taiao unit about their weed eradication work, both on land (removing invasive bat-wing passion flower) and at sea (targeting marine pests like the Mediterranean fanworm).  

Local schools added heart to the events too—Ngunguru and Waipū tamariki showcased projects like litter clean-ups, snorkeling trips, bird watching, dune planting, and shellfish monitoring, all designed to connect the next generation with nature. 

Ms Shaft described Coastal Conversations as a strong foundation for growing community understanding and encouraging greater kaitiakitanga. She noted councils are eager to support more gatherings like these to keep coastal communities informed, resilient, and united in the face of a changing climate.