Muriwai - North West Face
The North West Face remains closed for access, due to the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Message from Auckland Council:
The Geotech reports have revealed that the land at both access points to Otakamiro Point is unstable and in need of significant remedial work.
As a result, the tracks will not be open this summer season.
Unfortunately, this means that your club members won't be able to access the site.
For details:
Media Release - Maukatia Access
We highlighted that we don't use that access track, but Council's concerns over safety still prevail.
And it would send mixed messages about access to the wider public.
So while we may have a few NW winds over the next few months, we won't be able to make use of them at the NW face, and this site remains closed.
Maukatia - Maori Bay is still open, but with some conditions, see the site page for more information.
Site Information
There are three separate flying sites in this area: the North West Face, Maori Bay, and a private take-off to the south.
The North West face is a particularly enjoyable small site and, owing to its very public profile, care should be taken to not to create any bad impressions of the sport.
Please read the information on the Gannett colony in particular under Mandatory Notices before flying this site.
Scratching close to the Pohutakawa trees tends to cause anxiety in the general public and to the park rangers and therefore should be avoided.
Muriwai is reached by taking State highway 16 out of Auckland to Waimauku and then turning left following the signs to Muriwai beach.
The North west site described as 'The North West face' is in fact the north westerly facing section of Otakmiro point which is located at the southern end of Muriwai beach, adjacent to the main lower car park.
Access to this site closed from 1997 to 1999 and permission was regained with specific access paths being approved.
Access may be obtained from the lower public car park by taking the track starting opposite the toilets and following the ridge to the right as it climbs sharply to the top. Alternatively access may be obtained by parking vehicles in the Maori Bay public ca rpark and walking back down to where the track enters the bush on the left. The access track starts immediately opposite this gravelled area, entering through the bush to the top of the ridge. Check with local pilots for an access update before flying.
Whilst the upper launch has been closed a lower launch has been used which is further to the west in a low bowl where the track from the main Muriwai Beach turns 90 from the cliff and leads up to the look outs over the gannet colony.
Site Type
Coastal.
Landing
No landing or glider handling is permitted on the dunes in front of the north west face, and landing on the beach is restricted during the period December to February when the portion of the beach below the north west face is closed to vehicle traffic to 500 metres north of Motutara Road.
Mandatory Notices
No landing or glider handling is permitted on the dunes in front of the north west face, and landing on the beach is restricted during the period December to February when the portion of the beach below the north west face is closed to vehicle traffic to 500 metre north of Motutara Road.
Over-flying the gannet colony located on the western tip of Otakamiro Point is prohibited, the boundary to be observed being the public walking track and observation points. Please ensure you keep clear enough of the Gannets that you do not disturb them, including shadows passing over the colony. This is a very public area and if we are seen to be disturbing the colony we could loose site access.
Site Radio Channel
Channel 20 - 476.900MHz
Restrictions
Either "None" or a sub heading for both Hang Gliding and Paragliding. If, for example, only Hang Gliding is applicable, also add a Paragliding heading with "None".
Hang Gliding
HG Novice
Paragliding
Lower takeoff - PG2 + 60 hours
Other take off - PG2
Cautions
Be aware during landing on the beach of movement of vehicles (this is a public road).
Take care particularly in summer when a large number of beach users are in the area.
Landing on the golf course is not permitted and, landing in the lower car park is not recommended.
Beware of helicopters operating from the heli pad located behind the Surf Club.
Paraglider and Hang glider pilots are not the only users of these Muriwai sites and you need to remain alert for the possibility of radio controlled models whose operator's perceptions of your height and speed are not always that accurate.
If using the lower take off be careful to check the wind is square in and that there is enough beach available to land on the event of not achieving sufficient lift. This is a particularly tricky site as any cross wind carries you immediately against the trees and launch is so low that if you don't get lift on the first pass then you have no option but to land.
Airspace
All of the Muriwai cliff flying sites are located within VFR Transit Lan T158 Te Henga, with a ceiling of 2000ft ASL, and no access to airspace behind the cliffs (Class D controlled airspace, and MBZ).
Access Conditions
Being part of the Regional Park care again needs to be taken of vegetation etc. and, when landing on the beach consideration of other beach users is required.
The Regional park rules under which we are permitted to use the site ban commercial operation (tandems, schools, teaching etc ) unless a specific concession has been granted.
On no account is any other portion of the Peninsula other than North westerly face to be used as a launch site nor access obtained.
In particular the previously used access track directly above the public car park area of Maori bay is closed owing to discovery of Maori remains in this area.
Over-flying of the gannet colony located on the western tip of Otakamiro Point is prohibited, the boundary to be observed being the public walking track and observation points.
Site Monitor
In the absence of Joe Ward until January, acting Site Monitor is Tony Seaman, 0274 933 023
Joe Ward: 0274 718 418
Notes
None.
Site Achievements
None.