Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē / Ninety Mile Beach

Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē / Ninety Mile Beach runs along the western edge of the Aupōuri Peninsula in the far north of the North Island and is officially one of the region’s longest continuous beaches. The beach is actually about 88 kilometres long and sweeps from near Tauroa Point north toward Tiriparepa / Scott Point and Cape Maria van Diemen.

The beach has a dual name following a Treaty of Waitangi settlement with Ngāti Kurī and the Māori name means “the long beach of Tōhē”. Historically the shore has seen shipwrecks and in 1932 was even used as a runway for early airmail services.

The sand and large dunes at the northern Te Paki end create a dramatic landscape used for sandboarding, while much of the shoreline is a broad flat plain popular with walkers and scenic drives. The beach is officially a public highway and is used occasionally as an alternative to the main state road, but conditions change with tides and weather.

Visiting feels remote compared with New Zealand’s more developed beaches: services are limited along the coast and much of the appeal is the sense of open space, strong coastal light and long views to the Tasman Sea and headlands.

• Te Paki dunes: Large coastal dunes at the northern end offer a desert-like landscape and popular sandboarding slopes.
• Long open shoreline: Walk or drive long, flat stretches of sand for uninterrupted sea and sky panoramas.
• Driveable beach route: The beach is legally a public highway and is used by vehicles as an alternative coastal route, especially by tourists.
• Tiriparepa / Scott Point and Cape Maria van Diemen views: The northern reaches give you views toward rugged headlands and remote coastline.
• Ahipara and Tauroa Point: The southern end near Ahipara and Tauroa Point is a common access point and base for exploring the beach.

The nearest service town is Kaitaia, with the beach accessed from Ahipara to the south and tracks near the Te Paki area at the northern end; the nearest commercial airfield is Kaitaia Airport, while larger airports are at Whangārei and Auckland. There is no nearby rail service, so most visitors arrive by road.

From Kaitaia or Ahipara the final stretch is along local coastal roads with parking and beach access points; the beach itself can be driven in places but conditions depend on tides and sand firmness so follow local signage, check tides and get local advice before driving onto the sand.

• Always check tide times and local advice before walking or driving on the beach because large tidal ranges can cut off routes quickly.
• If you plan to drive on the sand, only do so where permitted and be aware vehicle recovery can be difficult once stuck.
• Bring sun, wind and rain protection as coastal conditions can change rapidly and there are few services along the shore.
• Respect the dual Māori and English name and local cultural values when visiting significant sites and sacred places.
• For sandboarding join a local operator or hire boards in Ahipara or at Te Paki rather than relying on finding equipment at the dunes.