Tawhirihoe Scientific Reserve

One of the best surviving examples of Holocene parabolic dune development in New Zealand. The reserve protects a rare, still-functioning coastal dune and ephemeral wetland system, where foredunes, backshore hollows, and sandy plains continue to be shaped by wind and water. Deep, well-drained sandy loams support specialised coastal vegetation, including rare sedges and sand-binding species that stabilise dunes while allowing natural movement and change.