LOVE IT LIKE A LOCAL | CARING FOR WAIHI BEACH
We live where you holiday, and we’re working together to keep it beautiful.
At Waihī Beach, the sand, sea, bush and community are all part of what makes this place so special. But with thousands of visitors every summer, our little beach town needs a lot of love, and not just from locals. That’s where you come in.
Our community is deeply committed to protecting Waihī Beach’s unique environment, and groups like Sustainable Waihī Beach are leading the charge. Made up of passionate locals, volunteers, they work tirelessly on projects that reduce plastic waste, restore native habitats and keep our beaches and reserves clean and healthy.
As a visitor, you have an important role to play too. Simple choices like bringing your own reusable water bottle, staying on designated paths, and taking your rubbish with you help protect the very places you’ve come to enjoy. Together, we can ensure Waihī Beach remains a vibrant, beautiful destination for generations to come.
Whether you’re here for the weekend or the whole summer, here’s how you can help;
PRESERVE
Caring for coast and dunes
OUR BEACH, OUR BACKYARD
The sand dunes aren’t just a pretty part of the view. They’re a crucial barrier that protects our town from erosion and storm surges. They’re also a delicate ecosystem that needs to stay strong and undisturbed.
PROTECT
Fighting pests, saving birds!
PREDATOR FREE WAIHI BEACH
Guardians of our native wildlife.
Waihī Beach isn’t just a summer hot spot. It’s a thriving home for native birds like the tūī, kererū, and the rarely spotted matuku. But to keep their song alive, we’ve got to keep predators like rats, stoats, and possums out of the picture.
That’s exactly what Predator Free Waihī Beach is doing. Since kicking off in 2020, this community-led initiative has set up over 550 traps, removed thousands of predators, and mapped out a trapline network stretching through reserves, dunes, backyards and walkways.
They even run a trap library at the MenzShed at 106 Beach Road, where locals can borrow and learn how to trap at home. Visitors keen to help out can join a planting day, report pest sightings, or simply cheer the team on.
It’s all part of making Waihī Beach a safer, wilder place – one furry intruder at a time.
UNITE
Community-driven, volunteer-powered mahi
POWERED BY LOCALS | SUSTAINABLE WAIHI BEACH
Sustainable Waihī Beach is a volunteer-led powerhouse that brings together locals, schools, iwi and council to restore our coastal environment and inspire lasting change. Over the past few years they’ve installed 11 water refill stations around the beach from the North End to Anzac Bay, an initiative that has helped stop more than 85,000 single‑use plastic bottles from ending up in landfill. At the same time the team rolled out a Community Beach Clean Pod system, with bucket stations spread across five locations including North End, Brighton Reserve, Tuna Avenue and Anzac Bay. Since the launch, visible litter in beach and reserve areas has dropped by 73 percent. In collaboration with Te Whānau a Tauwhao hapū and regional agencies, they have also supported a 30-hectare wetland restoration project at Waihī Estuary, transforming former farmland back into living coastal wetlands that filter water, restore habitat and store carbon. These efforts are part of a tapestry of meaningful mahi, from composting and planting events to strategic partnerships and educational campaigns, that continue to shape a sustainable future for Waihī Beach and invite all visitors to be part of the journey.
DITCH
Cutting out plastic waste
SAYING NO TO SINGLE-USE
What We’re Doing and How You Can Join In
Waihī Beach is one of just a handful of communities around Aotearoa that’s part of Plastic Free Places Aotearoa, a nationwide initiative to reduce single-use plastic. You’ll notice our local cafés, shops and takeaways doing their bit, saying no to plastic straws, polystyrene containers, plastic bags and unnecessary packaging.
PROMISE
Travelling with purpose
THE TIAKI PROMISE
Tiaki means to care. And that’s exactly what we ask of everyone who visits Waihī Beach.
When you spend time here, you’re not just passing through. You’re stepping into a special part of Aotearoa, where the ocean, bush and community are deeply connected. The Tiaki Promise is a national movement that encourages all travellers to look after New Zealand – to respect the environment, protect our culture, and act as guardians for future generations.
At Waihī Beach, we proudly support this kaupapa through everything we do – from beach clean-ups and plastic-free initiatives to community events that celebrate our people and place. Taking the Tiaki Promise means travelling with intention, being mindful of your footprint, and giving back where you can.
Whether you’re picking up rubbish on your walk, staying on marked tracks, or simply learning about local tikanga, every little action helps. Together, we can keep Waihī Beach beautiful, thriving and welcoming for everyone.
