Thread: Paerengarenga Harbour - Far North

We are planning to go a trip and want to get some fishing in at Paerengarenga Harbour and out across the bar if weather allows. Does anyone know what the current state is of access for launching into the harbour, and vehicle security etc. There looks limited options to stay and camp around there as the Te Pua reserve and camping is not open to public atm. We are going up late march for around a week. Will be 2 or 3 jet skis. We can travel up for the day from Houhora if need be but thought someone might know of other options. Keen to hear any comments and thoughts from those who have been there. Thanks

I believe the iwi has decreed that it is to remain closed to the public, but I may be a little out of date. I've heard there are private bachs in the area for rental with beach access, but you can still get hassled on the water by the locals. What a great country we live in!

Paerengarenga is a special place and deserves respect and so do the locals if you want to launch out of Te Hapua and don't have a local escort, I would recommend you contact Ngati Kuri Trust Board for advise first.

Originally Posted by trapperjohn

Paerengarenga is a special place and deserves respect and so do the locals if you want to launch out of Te Hapua and don't have a local escort, I would recommend you contact Ngati Kuri Trust Board for advise first.

Yes I agree -Good advice - thankyou

Have great memories of fishing off the wharf at TeHapua for a feed. Used to surf the far Nth a lot back in the day (‘80s) - Rawara, the Bluff, Hendersons etc. Fresh fish was always a welcome addition to the diet. While we were fishing off TeHapua wharf a local kid rocked up in what looked like his Dads jeans & hob nail boots & the family mutt (Jack Russel or similar). He had an old hand line thick enough to haul a boat & a massive window sash weight for a sinker. He’d let out about 10m of line & then a big window sash weight up. The wee dog knew exactly how far away to sit to avoid the lead. I swear that sash weight missed his nose by millimeters. Each time it steamed past he’d pull his head back an inch or so. Locals were great.

Originally Posted by trapperjohn

Paerengarenga is a special place and deserves respect and so do the locals if you want to launch out of Te Hapua and don't have a local escort, I would recommend you contact Ngati Kuri Trust Board for advise first.

Met a kaumatua from Awanui who took time out at the wharf to give us a history lesson about the area. Fascinating. A man from Germany fishing from the wharf got 2 big king fish. Asked us what to do with it. Suggested he take what he needed and walk along the road and ask the locals if anyone wanted some. We walked up the beach and came back some time later. As we were driving out we glanced up at a property. He was at the side of the house. They had a bbq on and he had a large bottle of beer in his hand. He was getting a wonderful introduction to the tangata whenua.