Welcome to the archive images of Tamaki Makaurau
Week 5
11 February 2007
Te Henga (Bethells Beach)
Approximately 30km northwest of Auckland City on the Tasman Sea, lies the black beach of Bethells, location for the movie The Piano and where Hercules and Xena Warrior Princess were filmed. The Maori name Te Henga means sand and is believed to be given because of the way the sand dunes resemble the upturned hull of a canoe. Bethells is far from amenities, making Swanson your last call for supplies, so make sure not to drive to this beach on an empty stomach or tank.
Dunes are replanted with Pikao (or Pingao), the Golden Sand Sedge which is vital
Approximately 30km northwest of Auckland City on the Tasman Sea, lies the black beach of Bethells, location for the movie The Piano and where Hercules and Xena Warrior Princess were filmed. The Maori name Te Henga means sand and is believed to be given because of the way the sand dunes resemble the upturned hull of a canoe. Bethells is far from amenities, making Swanson your last call for supplies, so make sure not to drive to this beach on an empty stomach or tank.
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK
Photography deals exquisitely with appearances, but
nothing is what it appears to be. - Duane Michals
From the car park it is quite a distance to walk to the sea. Although not noticeable
in the pictures, the sand is black as it contains quantities of black titanomagnetite
which comes from the volcanic rocks of Taranaki and carried north by coastal
currents. On the left is the Lifesaving lookout
for the preservation of New Zealand's sand dune ecosystems. By staying off
sand dunes we can all help combat erosion
Another reason for staying off the dunes
The lagoon
Layers of sand, rock and older volcanic material can be seen in the cliff walls
Another reason for staying off the dunes
The lagoon
Layers of sand, rock and older volcanic material can be seen in the cliff walls
Several caves can be seen in the rock walls
Ihumoana Island, an island pa site
Looking across Waitakere Bay to Erangi Point with Ihumoana Island on the left
Bethells is a favourite beach for walking the dogs
Looking across Waitakere Bay to Erangi Point with Ihumoana Island on the left
Bethells is a favourite beach for walking the dogs
A cave at the southern end of Bethells Beach. This was Callisto's Cave in
Return of Callisto in Xena Princess Warrior
Pukekowhai Point with its distinctive rock tower
Many surfers are attracted to Bethells
The view back north, once again with Ihumoana Island on the left
Many surfers are attracted to Bethells
The view back north, once again with Ihumoana Island on the left
You are welcome to contact the photographer
Suzette Bothma
for copies of any of these pictures
Suzette Bothma
for copies of any of these pictures
or if you wish to add a link to these pages
Thank you
Text and images © 2005-2007 Aotearoa Cam. All rights reserved.
Do not reproduce without permission.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.1 Australia License.