Matapōuri Bay Fishing: Rocks and Beach on the Tūtūkākā Coast

Last updated October 2026

Matapōuri Bay is a sheltered, white-sand bay on the Tūtūkākā Coast, about 35 km north-east of Whangārei and 7 km north of Tūtūkākā. Most local shore fishing here is off the rocks at the two ends of the beach, where anglers stray-line baits for snapper, and kahawai turn up along this coast too.

The beach itself is sheltered and family-friendly, and the estuary at the south end drains into the bay. The Mermaid Pools, past the northern rocks, are closed under a rāhui.

At a Glance

Location

Matapōuri, off Matapouri Road, about 35 km north-east of Whangārei

Main species

Snapper off the rocks; kahawai along this coast

Where to fish

The rocks at the north and south ends of the beach

Method

Stray-lining or light running-sinker rigs with fresh bait

Parking

Public car parks on Wehiwehi Road and Morrison Avenue

Shop

Matapōuri Bay Store, corner of Matapouri Road and Wehiwehi Road

Dogs

Not allowed at the north end, on the walkways or up the estuary

Closed

Mermaid Pools and the track to them (rāhui since 2019)

Rules

MPI Auckland and Kermadec (Auckland East); no licence needed

Tide port

Tutukaka Harbour (LINZ secondary port off Marsden Point)

What You'll Find Here

Matapōuri is a small bach settlement, and around nine in ten of its houses are holiday homes, so the bay is quiet for much of the year and busy over summer.

From above, the beach curves in a wide crescent facing out to sea, with bush-covered headlands at each end. The northern headland is part of Otito Scenic Reserve; at the southern end a sandspit runs out where the estuary meets the bay.

Matapōuri Marae, with its meeting house Te Tokomanawa o te Aroha, serves Ngāti Rehua, Ngāti Toki-ki-te-Moananui and Te Whānau a Rangiwhaakahu. In 2019 the local hapū placed a rāhui on the Mermaid Pools, Te Wai o Te Taniwha, after crowds left rubbish and human waste there. The pools and the track to them remain closed.

Walking tracks link the north end of the beach with Whale Bay over the headland, so the bay makes an easy day out to pair with a walk or a swim.

How to Fish Matapōuri Bay

Rocks or sand

Local anglers say the bay is too enclosed to be a good surfcasting beach. The better option is the rocks at either end of the beach, which are a short walk along the sand from the car parks. If you do cast from the sand, fish the moving water around the tide changes, which usually fishes better than slack.

What to catch and what to use

• Snapper: the main target off the rocks. Stray-line a lightly weighted bait (pilchard, squid, bonito or jack mackerel) into the wash, and use a strong trace, because Northland snapper hit hard.
• Kahawai: cast a metal lure or soft bait from the rocks, or put a strip bait under a float.

What to bring

Fresh or frozen bait from Whangārei, berley, a long-handled landing net or gaff for the rocks, and footwear with good grip. Pack a torch if you fish into the evening, because the walk back along the rocks and the beach is in the dark.

Getting There and Facilities

• Road: Matapouri Road, about 7 km north of Tūtūkākā and 35 km from Whangārei.
• Parking: public car parks at the end of Wehiwehi Road and on Morrison Avenue, both close to the beach.
• Shop: Matapōuri Bay Store, on the corner of Matapouri Road and Wehiwehi Road, for supplies.
• Walks: the Matapōuri Headland Track (about 40 minutes one way) leaves from the north end of the beach for Whale Bay. Toilets are at Whale Bay.
• Dogs: not allowed on the walkways, in the bush reserves, on the conservation land at the north end of the beach, or in the estuary upstream of the two bridges.

Rules and Safety

• Rules: the bay falls under MPI’s Auckland and Kermadec rules, in the Auckland East area. You do not need a licence, and MPI’s website lists the current size and daily limits.
• Rāhui: the Mermaid Pools and the track to them are closed by the hapū. Do not fish or walk there; fish the rocks at the main beach instead.
• Closures: Matapōuri is north of the Rehuotane Ki Tai temporary closure, which starts at Middle Gable, north of Tūtūkākā Head. Check MPI for any closure or shellfish biotoxin warning before you gather shellfish.
• Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket and grippy footwear, watch the sea for a few sets before you go down onto the rocks, never turn your back on the waves, and leave before the tide or swell cuts off your way back.
• Steep ground: the council warns of steep drops near the headland tracks. Keep to the tracks.

Official Sources for Matapōuri Bay

Common Questions

Where do you fish at Matapōuri Bay?
Off the rocks at the north and south ends of the beach. The bay is too sheltered to be a strong surfcasting beach.

What can you catch at Matapōuri?
Snapper off the rocks, and kahawai, which shore anglers target along this coast.

What bait works for snapper off the rocks?
Stray-lined pilchard, squid, bonito or jack mackerel, on a strong trace.

Can I fish at the Mermaid Pools?
No. The pools and the track to them have been closed under a rāhui since 2019. Fish the rocks at the main beach instead.

Is Matapōuri inside the Tūtūkākā fishing closure?
No. The Rehuotane Ki Tai closure starts at Middle Gable, south of Matapōuri. The standard Auckland and Kermadec rules cover the bay.

Where do I park?
In the public car parks at the end of Wehiwehi Road or on Morrison Avenue.

Can I take my dog fishing at Matapōuri?
Not to the north end of the beach, the walkways or the estuary upstream of the bridges, where dogs are banned.

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