Come stay and play at Kai Iwi Lakes, Taharoa Domain, one of New Zealand's best holiday spots. Only three hours from Auckland, 35 kilometres from Dargaville. Nestled amongst 538 hectares of premier recreation reserve with white sand freshwater dune lakes renowned for their jewel‑like beauty and clear waters.
The Taharoa Domain has beautiful crystal-clear Kai Iwi Lakes, are ideal for safe swimming, kayaking, fishing, boating and water skiing.
Explore and enjoy bush and open country walking tracks with native wildlife and revegetation programme making this a premier Northland reserve close to surf beaches, Waipoua Forest and other Kauri Coast and Northland attractions.
Perfect for a wonderful camping experience with the choice of two campgrounds located on the lake foreshore, both offering an ideal camping experience for tents, caravans, or motorhomes.
Follow new Check, Clean, Dry rules to protect the lakes at Taharoa Domain
Exotic freshwater clams (Corbicula) can harm everything we love about the water.
Before you arrive at Taharoa Domain, play your part in protecting the lakes from exotic freshwater clams. Follow new Check, Clean, Dry rules for all watercraft, gear, or clothing at other lakes or rivers, especially the Waikato River. Biosecurity spot checks are being done during the summer break.
Check – for what is visible
Remove any visible matter, including any plant material, mud, or clams.
Drain all river or lake water.
Clean – for what is not visible
Washdown your watercraft, gear, vehicle, and trailer that has been in contact with river or lake water with tap water onto grass, beside the waterway or at home and not into a stormwater drain system.
For absorbent surfaces and materials (including wetsuits and carpet on trailers), use one of these treatments*:
- Soak in hot tap water (55ºC) for at least 5 minutes.
- Soak in diluted household bleach (10%, or 1 in 10 ratio) for an hour.
- Freeze until solid (overnight).
(* Refer to the manufacturer's instructions if needed).
Dry – to be sure
Gear: Allow gear to dry to touch, inside and out, then leave it to dry for at least 48 hours (2 days) before using again.
Watercraft: Dry areas inside the watercraft where water has pooled, for example with an old towel, and then leave the craft to dry for at least 48 hours (2 days). The hull of a watercraft will dry when towed. These new Check, Clean, Dry steps will also help stop the spread of other freshwater pest species.
More information on new Check, Clean, Dry rules and the latest information about the invasive freshwater clam is available at biosecurity.govt.nz/freshwaterclams
Water Safety
Kai Iwi Lakes may look calm and serene, but water is dangerous. Please take extreme caution when swimming in the lakes and ensure everyone has a safety watch looking out for each other. We want to ensure everyone goes home safely. Please remember:
- You are less buoyant in lake water than sea water
- The darker water is approximately 30 metres deep
- There is no lifeguard on duty - if you are not a fully competent swimmer, we recommend you wear a floating device.
Bookings and availability
Bookings can only be made for the same financial year i.e. 01 July through to 30 June the following year. Bookings are open from 01 July each year.
For real time availability and to make a booking at our campgrounds please refer to our website, as spaces may open due to cancellations. We are not operating a wait list due to the quantity of enquiries we are receiving.
Payment information
Payment must be made prior to your arrival date, either online or by bank transfer.
Internet Banking:
Account Name: Kaipara District Council
Bank: Bank of New Zealand
Account Number: 02-0308-0090743-09
Credit Card payments using Visa or MasterCard only are accepted on our Council website
There is a fee of 2.10% per transaction for this service (with a minimum fee of $1.00 per transaction).
Please reference booking reference when making a payment.
Changes to confirmed bookings
Please note that any changes to bookings will incur a $10.00 administration fee.
Cancellation Policy
Accommodation is non-refundable and non-transferable should guests decide to alter or leave before their scheduled departure date. This includes (but not limited to) change of mind and inclement weather. Date changes are permitted if within the same season (01 July to 30 June), no less than seven (7) days’ notice and are subject to availability.
Taharoa Domain has two established campgrounds located on the beachfront of Lake Taharoa. Both offer a true camping experience for tents, caravans or motorhomes.
So that all can enjoy their camping experience at the lakes please refer to our campground rules.
How to contact/find us
Bookings and availability
Bookings can only be made for the same financial year (01 July to 30 June) i.e. bookings for October 2023 will be available from 01 July 2023.
Pine Beach Campground
Pine Beach offers both non-powered camping and powered campsites, flush toilets, hand wash basins, hot showers, rubbish collection, and road access for all types of vehicles, providing a popular family camping experience.
Maximum capacity – 480 guests
Fees effective 01 November 2022
- Non-powered camping (per person)
- $20.00 per adult per night (15 years +)
- $10.00 per child per night (5 to 14 years)
- 4 years and under are free
- Powered sites (per person)
- $25.00 per adult per night (15 years +)
- $10.00 per child per night (5 to 14 years)
- 4 years and under are free
Promenade Point Campground
Promenade Point has a more remote or natural camping experience and design, offering non-powered camping only. Facilities include a unisex toilet block, however there are no shower facilities.
Maximum capacity – 120 guests
Fees effective 01 November 2022
- Non-powered camping (per person):
- $15.00 per adult per night (15 years +)
- $8.00 per child per night (5 to 14 years)
- 4 years and under are free
Dogs and pets are not permitted on the Taharoa Domain (land area surrounding Kai Iwi Lakes) as we need to protect our native fauna and flora.
A disability assist or public service dog (as interpreted in the Dog Control Act 1996), may be permitted with written approval. Verifiable evidence of certification by one of the organisations listed below will be required in all circumstances.
Public service dogs
These dogs are trained for the specific purpose of the government agency that owns them.
Owned and trained by:
· New Zealand Police
· New Zealand Customs Service
· Department of State
· Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management
· Department of Conservation.
Disability assist dogs
Disability assist dogs are registered with one of these organisations:
· Assistance Dogs New Zealand
· Hearing Dogs for Deaf People New Zealand
· K9 Medical Detection New Zealand
· Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust
· New Zealand Epilepsy Assist Dogs Trust
· Perfect Partners Assistance Dogs Trust
· Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Incorporated
Electric vehicle charging is not permitted on the powered sites at our campgrounds. There is NOT a dedicated vehicle charging station located on the Taharoa Domain. Please refer to the NZTA Journey Planner for details of EV Charging Stations throughout New Zealand.
Freedom camping is prohibited on Taharoa Domain (the land area surrounding Kai Iwi Lakes).
If you are planning to hold an event on, or in, the water that might affect the normal operation of other vessels and water users, you will need permission from the Harbourmaster. All events on the Taharoa Domain are subject to the Taharoa Domain Bylaws 2019 and the NRC Navigational Safety Bylaw.
The Lake Waikare Event Centre is situated alongside Lake Waikare and can be hired by members of the public, subject to availability and event approval. Please refer to our current Fees and Charges for hireage cost.
Hours of hire
Daily hire – 8am to midnight (same calendar day)
No camping or accommodation allowed
The Lake Waikare Event Centre is not available for accommodation. Any hirers found to be using the facility for accommodation will immediately forfeit their booking, vacate the premises and forfeit the retention bond.
Camping is not permitted at Lake Waikare.
Retention Bond
If retention of bond is not required, a refund will be processed to the original form of payment within 14 working days after the hire period.
The bond will on be retained when there is damage to Council property, loss of Council property and/or further cleaning is required to return the Centre to its original condition.
Unlicenced premises
Lake Waikare Event Centre is not licensed, under no circumstances is any alcohol to be consumed inside the building.
Please direct all enquiries and bookings to lakes@kaipara.govt.nz
Non-powered camping
When booking non-powered camping at our campgrounds, you require spaces equivalent to the number of people in your group, including children 5 years and over. You are not booking a site. This is to ensure we do not exceed our allowable maximum campers in the campground at any given time.
Non-powered campers can set up anywhere in the campground, excluding the powered sites area and day visitor areas, and is a first come basis.
Powered site camping
When booking powered camping at our campgrounds, charges apply per person/per night. Each site is capped to a maximum of five people (including children 5 years and over). This is to ensure we do not exceed our allowable maximum campers in the campground at any given time.
The Taharoa Domain Bylaws 2019 supports the policies of the Reserve Management Plan for the Taharoa Domain in controlling the aquatic activities on lakes in the Reserve. It should be read in conjunction with Northland Regional Council’s Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017.
Water Safety
Kai Iwi Lakes may look calm and serene, but water is dangerous. Please take extreme caution when swimming in the lakes and ensure everyone has a safety watch looking out for each other. We want to ensure everyone goes home safely.
· You are less buoyant in lake water than sea water
· The darker water is approximately 30 metres deep
· There is no lifeguard on duty - if you are not a fully competent swimmer, we recommend you wear a floating device.
Maritime Rules
Maritime rules apply on all waterways. Power-driven vessels must comply with the provisions of the Navigational Safety Bylaw and must not exceed five knots unless an exemption has been granted by the Northland Regional Council Harbour Master. More detailed information relating to the use of power-driven vessels, i.e. boats, jet ski’s is available here.
