Encompassing the ecological districts of Eastern Northland and Islands, and Taranga. It is characterised by a warm subtropical climate and is home to diverse ecosystems. It features rocky headlands, sandy beaches, estuaries, and low hill country. Once largely forested with kauri, podocarps, and broadleaf species, much has been cleared, but important habitats remain, including pōhutukawa coastal forest, wetlands, dune systems, and offshore island ecosystems. The district is notable for its migratory waders, threatened shorebirds, and seabird colonies