Coastguard Tairua Pauanui

07/08/2025

Waikato Regional Council, Thames-Coromandel District Council and Coastguard Pauanui have received lots of outreach around the topic of the sandbar which can form within the Tairua harbour.

The periodic occurrences of these sandbars are understandably a concern for both local residents and those who visit.

Our organisations have come together to improve our clarity of communications with the public on this issue. We are sympathetic with the concerns raised by those who use the harbour. To begin with, it is important that we clearly define our mandated (and budgeted) responsibilities, as we lay a path for the future as to how each of our organisations will play a part in addressing this issue within our capabilities.

The webpage below will serve as a one-stop shop for all communications and news on this topic. If you use the Tairua/Pauanui harbour, please visit the link and give it a read.

https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/whats-happening/tairua-harbour-sandbar/

30/07/2025

Thank you team.
Coastguard Tairua Pauanui boat was launched at 12.30am last night from a Police report that a vessel had broken its mooring and had grounded with one person on board. We responded to the event but with an outgoing flood and tide going out we could not refloat the yacht and after 1.5 hours decided it was best we try at high tide the following day. John Norman assisted at high tide today and the yacht and owner are fine. Our crew in adverse conditions in the middle of the night during that storm did a great job. Thanks to Garry, Adam, Peter and Fred and yours truly in saving lives at sea. Kind regards Andrew Gibson President Tairua Pauanui Coastguard

20/06/2025

Tairua Pauanui Coastgaurd towed a boat with mechanical issues back to Billy Point Wharf this morning. Two people were on board and are safe and sound. A great outcome and a beautiful morning on the water.

Reminder to check fuel and batteries before heading out.

Stay safe

17/06/2025

17/05/2025

Message from the Tairua Pauanui Coastguard.

We did depth soundings of the harbour on training Thursday night & the photo was taken the same day. You will see the stubborn sand bar across the old “main channel” has the shallowest spot which we estimate is 0.4m deep at chart datum (i.e. a zero low tide).

To use this information please add the low tide for any given day to the 0.4m for the depth at low tide. Today’s low tide was a 0.5m low so adding the 0.4m would give a depth of approx. 0.9m. Our vessel draws 0.45m so we could get through today but not at a zero low (which don't happen often).

The Pauanui side channel is still the deepest access to the upper harbour at 1.4m at chart datum. There is a channel forming on the red line but we haven’t yet sounded this area. As always, it is the skippers responsibility for safe navigation and change is always happening.

Stay safe out there.