Kai Iwi Sand Lakes

Kai Iwi Sand Lakes form a natural playground that somes alive during summer as this is a popular camping spot. Three freshwater lakes, Kai Iwi, Taharoa and Waikere, are fringed with pure white sand, and the area is a recreation reserve par excellence. There are facilities for swimming, boating, windsurfing, water-skiing, camping and trout fishing. You can walk through lush farmland to the wild west coast, where 100km of golden sands lie before you all the way to Pouto, the northern headland of the notorious entrance to the Kaipara Harbour.

The lakes are locdated in the Taharoa domain, a 538ha reserve 34km northwest of Dargaville. You can explore by following the extensive walking track around the lakes. The domain is 2.5km from the Tasman sea and walkway access to the coast is available through an adjoining farm property. The more adventurous can walk the beach to Maunganui Bluff, where the rocks are covered with mussels.

The Kai Iwi Lakes are basin type dune lakes formed by the accumulation of rainwater in depressions of sand underlaid with relatively impermeable ironstone pans. Dune lakes are one of nine major lake types found in New Zealand and are predominant along the west coast of the North Island.