About the Waikato Coastal Database

The Waikato Coastal Database began as a collaboration between the Waikato Regional Council and the Department of Conservation. Both of these organisations play an important role in the management of the Waikato coastline and marine waters. The project is now managed by the Regional Council.

The Waikato Regional Council is responsible for managing the effects of activities in the coastal marine area (CMA), which extends from the high water mark to 12 nautical miles out to sea. The Regional Council is the consenting authority for activities such as marinas, marine farms and seawalls, while also being responsible for navigation and safety. The Council also gathers information about the coast and undertakes coastal monitoring programmes to help establish policies and monitor their effects.

There are many other educational and research agencies that collect data and information about the Waikato coastline and marine waters, including Central Government, Crown Research Institutes, Universities and Consultancies. Much of this data has been captured in published and unpublished articles and reports and can sometimes be difficult to find.

The Waikato Coastal Database provides a searchable record of available coastal and marine information for the Waikato region and is a useful resource for government agencies, researchers, consultancies and the general public. The database does not contain raw data, but provides information about each dataset, including the purpose and a brief summary of the research.

This database will continue to be updated as new information becomes available. We are also happy to hear of coastal datasets that we are not aware of so please contact us if you think you can contribute. Happy searching!