Awhea Coastal Trust

07/05/2026

A reminder that tomorrow is the final day to have your say on the Awhea River Mouth & Tora Dune Restoration Plan!

Following the Awhea–Ōpuawe catchment group meeting held at Tuturumuri Hall on 27 March, we’re seeking community feedback on the proposed Awhea River Mouth and Tora dune restoration plan.

The proposal focuses on protecting the Awhea River Mouth and dune environment, improving biodiversity, and ensuring the area can continue to be enjoyed for activities such as fishing, surfing, diving, and camping, while protecting sensitive habitats.
To help guide the next steps, we’ve created a short community survey and would really appreciate your input.

🗓 Please share your feedback by Friday 8 May 2026.

👉 Complete the survey

here:�https://forms.gle/g6dxtxMaNgXP3fcGA

Your feedback will help shape the direction of the restoration work and ensure the project reflects the values and priorities of the wider community. See less

29/04/2026

Tora Coast Beach Clean-Up
📍 Tora Coast
📅 Saturday 16 May
⏰ 9am, meeting at the tables at Tora point surf break🌊
Join us for a community beach clean-up at the beautiful Tora Coast.
This is a great opportunity to come together, look after our coastline, and help remove rubbish and plastics that wash up along the shore after a busy summer season. Whether you live locally, visit the coast regularly, or simply care about keeping our environment healthy, everyone is welcome.
We’ll spend a couple of hours collecting litter along the beach and surrounding areas. Gloves and bags will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you have them.
Bring warm clothes, sturdy footwear, and a positive attitude. It’s a simple way to make a real difference for the coast, wildlife, and the wider environment.
Come along, meet others from the community, and help keep Tora Coast clean and thriving.

09/04/2026

🌿 We Need Your Input – Awhea River Mouth & Tora Dune Restoration

Following the Awhea–Ōpuawe catchment group meeting held at Tuturumuri Hall on 27 March, we’re seeking community feedback on the proposed Awhea River Mouth and Tora dune restoration plan.

The proposal focuses on protecting the Awhea River Mouth and dune environment, improving biodiversity, and ensuring the area can continue to be enjoyed for activities such as fishing, surfing, diving, and camping, while protecting sensitive habitats.
To help guide the next steps, we’ve created a short community survey and would really appreciate your input.

🗓 Please share your feedback by Friday 8 May 2026.
👉 Complete the survey here:�https://forms.gle/g6dxtxMaNgXP3fcGA

Your feedback will help shape the direction of the restoration work and ensure the project reflects the values and priorities of the wider community.

24/03/2026

Community Catchment Meeting - This Friday

Our local catchment community for the Awhea (Tora) and Ōpouawe (White Rock) areas are having a community meeting this Fri 27 March, 1pm @ Tuturumuri Hall, 3145 White Rock Road. ��It’s a great time to come together, hear about some exciting proposals and plans for our community and also ask questions. Come on down and talk trees with us 🏞️🌱🌊

05/09/2025

A day to remember at Sandy Bay 💚

Last weekend, we held our very first community planting day — and what a day it was. Blue skies overhead, followed by steady rain the next day. It felt like Ranginui and Papatūānuku were working alongside us.

With a crew of around 40, we planted over 400 native trees and grasses across three new blocks. From locals and bach owners to tamariki and those from afar, the turnout was a beautiful mix of people who care deeply for this coastline.

A special moment was watching Sarah plant two pōhutukawa to mark the day — a gesture that speaks to strength, resilience and the roots were all planting together here.

Thanks to everyone who showed up, picked up a spade, had a yarn, and helped carry the kaupapa. We’re feeling grateful, grounded, and even more connected to this special place we all love.

Mark your calendars for our next mission — a beach cleanup on September 21st! Let’s keep the good vibes flowing 🌊

14/07/2025

🌱 PLANTING DAY at SANDY BAY
Save the date: Saturday 30th August, 9am
(Back-up date: Sunday 31st)

We’re heading to Sandy Bay for a community planting day — a chance to give back to the coastline we all love and connect with the wider Tora community.

This spot is privately owned, but thanks to the Murphy whānau, it’s long been open for everyone to enjoy. With their support — and funding through Awhea Coastal Trust — we’re getting a small but meaningful native planting project off the ground to help enhance and protect this special place.

Sandy Bay is well-used and much-loved — by fishers, families, walkers, picnickers and more. This planting is one small way we can all help it thrive into the future.

We’ll bring the plants, snacks and good vibes — you bring your boots, spades and a bit of elbow grease 🌾

More details coming in August — but for now, pop it in your calendar.

03/11/2024

Introducing Awhea Coastal Trust! 🌿

Kia ora, Tora Community! We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Awhea Coastal Trust, a new charitable trust dedicated to protecting and enhancing the natural beauty and ecological health of Tora’s coastline, rivers, and marine environments. 💙

Founded by locals Claire and Troy, our mission is to ensure that Tora remains a vibrant, thriving paradise where nature and our community flourish together for generations to come. We honour the original kaitiaki (guardians) of this land—Ngāti Hinewaka, Ngāti Kahungunu, and Rangitāne—and are committed to incorporating Mātauranga Māori (ancestral knowledge) into our conservation efforts.

🌱 Have Your Say! Whether you are mana whenua, a local, a Tora regular, or someone who has visited and fallen in love with this place, we want to hear from you! We’re launching a community survey to gather your feedback on the environmental challenges Tora faces and your ideas for making a difference. This is your opportunity to get involved and help shape the future of Tora.

👉 Take the Survey Here: https://forms.gle/CLazLZHnLWvtP55U8

Let’s come together to protect the Tora we all love. Every voice matters, and your input will help guide our future projects and initiatives.

Ngā mihi nui,
The Awhea Coastal Trust Team

Kia ora! The Awhea Coastal Trust is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and community spirit of Tora. We aim to address environmental challenges, celebrate Māori heritage and enhance connection, and empower our local community. Your feedback is essential in ...