UNIT NO: 14
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RUFFIN PENINSULA & LOCAL COASTLINE
NATURAL CHARACTER EVALUATION TABLE
Biophysical Characteristics
Landforms | low-lying hills at the base of Ruffin Peninsula. The landform has dynamic interaction with the Hauraki Gulf with
several bays sheltered by vegetated promontories featuring bluffs and escarpments.
Vegetation type, Cover & Patterns | tracts of windswept remnant and regenerating vegetation flank the hills north of
McGregor Bay. Coastal forest meets the waters of the Hauraki Gulf at Tucks Bay and Hukanui Point, reinforcing the underlying
landform and providing a sense of naturalness.
Sea / Estuarine Water Bodies | Kikowhakarere Bay and Tucks Bay are heavily tidal contrasting with the sudden rise in
Date: 17/08/2015
elevation of the adjacent landform. The estuarine environment imparts a strong sense of naturalness due to its intactness and
evident natural processes.
Author:
Land Uses / Activities / Structure | whilst there is a presence of modification including pasture, wilding pines, fencing,
File: \\Beca.net\projects\468\4680219\TGI\55_Workspaces\01_mxd\GIS-4680219-00_Natural_Character_Areas_LandscapeMapseries_Edited.mxd
roads and tracks; the unit imparts a sense naturalness due to strong connection with the ocean and evidence of the interplay
between coastal processes and the underlying landform.
Habitat Value | a range of habits occur resulting from vegetation patterns, varying exposure (due to aspect), and the dynamic
shape of the coast featuring sheltered bays, tidal mudflats and exposed rocky headlands.
Natural Processes | a series of tidal bays separated by rocky promontories provide expression of coastal processes.
Underlying exposed rock is evidence of volcanic formative processes.
Rating of Biophysical Characteristics
Very Low....................Very High
Perceptual Characteristics
Wildness / Wilderness / Remoteness | regenerating and remnant vegetation cover and intact landform imbue a sense of
Map Scale @ A3: 1:8,000
0
0.125
Kilometres
0.25
0
The base of the Ruffin Peninsula & local coastline
0.25
0.5KM
Outstanding Natural Character Area
High Natural Character Area
±
wildness.
Experiential Attributes | evident coastal processes associated with tidal mudflats, rocky promontories and tidal variations of
the Coromandel Harbour impart a sense of naturalness.
Context / Setting | the character unit forms part of a bigger area of rural land and tracts of native vegetation north of
McGregor Bay add to the sense of wildness. Orientation towards the Coromandel Harbour creates strong engagement with the
wider harbour area.
Transient / Dynamic Attributes | the coastal edge of the landform directly engages with the ebb and flow of the Harbour.
Ephemeral qualities result from atmospheric conditions, variations of day / year, tide and wildlife.
Night-time Values | presence of roads within the character unit and dwellings on Ruffin Peninsula, Long Bay and
Kikowhakarere Bay to the north are affecting the perceived intactness of the coastal environment.
Rating of Perceptual Characteristics
Overall Natural Character Evaluation
(Biophysical and Perceptual Values)
Very Low....................Very High
HIGH
COROMA NDE L P E NI NS ULA NAT URAL CHARACTER STUDY
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