Piha

P1

Piha is a coastal settlement on the North Island of New Zealand. It is throughout the year, but especially during the summer months one of the most popular resorts and a frequent destination for day trips to the Aucklander. The beach Piha Beach is the venue for the New Zealand reality television show " Piha Rescue", which has been running for three summers on TV1 (New Zealand) and shows the lives of lifeguards at the beach.

Location

The place is in common with Karekare only one road that leads from Auckland through the Waitakere Ranges, accessible.

Piha located 28 km west of the city center of Auckland at the side facing the Tasman Sea west coast of the North Island. To the south is the town of Karekare, south of the entrance to the Manukau Harbour. To the east of the city lie the Waitakere Ranges and the Auckland Centennial Memorial Park. The next town to the north is Muriwai Beach, 15 km away.

The area has retained much of its natural beauty and isolation. The rugged coastline and forested Waitakere Ranges have different trails from easy to very high degrees of difficulty.

Near the coast there are the not very large, but picturesque Kitekite Falls. Baden is there in a pool above the falls all the year round, albeit outside of the summer only for hardy swimmers. Below the Falls is a covered picnic spot, which is popular for family trips in the summer. In Piha is a small river that flows Piha Stream.

Geology

Lion Rock, as viewed from the coast resembles a reclining lion, is the natural border between the North and South Piha beach. Lion Rock is visible from the only road out to the visitors. Lion Rock has become a landmark not only for Piha, but Auckland's entire west coast. He was depicted on stamps and the phone book from Auckland.

In Piha there is also a blowhole.

Surfing

Piha is perhaps New Zealand 's most famous beach for surfing. 1956 was built here surfing in New Zealand. National and international championships were held here. This beach of black iron sand is known for its strong and without warning changing surf backflow and strong currents.

The can be regarded as safe guarded beach areas are marked with red and yellow flags, two Surf Life Saving clubs entertained a summer lifeguard service for the surfers. The United North Piha Lifeguard Service is responsible for the stretch of beach north of Lion Rock, Piha Surf Life Saving Club of the southern beaches.

The flow claims many victims, which, however, usually drowning out of hours the lifeguards. Other victims were fishermen who were flushed out of sight of the Saviour in heavy clothes of the rocks.

To the north of Piha is the only accessible on foot Whites Beach. The Mercer Bay in the south is only accessible on foot. The nearest beaches with road connections are in Karekare in the south and in the north Anawhata.