Geographic Areas and Ecological Districts in Waitakere City 

Waitakere City is made up of three broad geographic areas, defined by topography and land use: the Waitakere Ranges, eastern foothills and lowlands (see map). 

The Ranges are predominantly bush clad and much of the land lies in Regional Parkland or Water Supply Catchment. 

The eastern foothills support a rural/orcharding land use and are partially cleared but with the upper foothills largely bush covered. 

The lowlands are predominately covered in urban development, with rural land in the north of the City, however, some pockets of native vegetation remain, mainly within the City's 500 parks. 

Approximately a quarter of New Zealand's native flowering plants (420 species) and two thirds of all native ferns and fern allies (110 species), are found in the Ranges. In addition there are 71 species of bird, one marine mammal, five lizard species, one frog species, one bat, 11 freshwater fish species and two freshwater crustacea. Invertebrates include 100 species of land snail. There are also over 800 species of insect. Species include those which are rare, and even unique in New Zealand. 

The main water bodies in Waitakere City are the six water supply reservoirs in the Ranges, the freshwater lakes at Whatipu, and Lakes Waiatarua, Wainamu and Kawaupaka, the water aquifer in the Kumeu/Hobsonville area, the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours and the Tasman Sea. There is also a network of streams, creeks and rivers with a number of sizeable catchments leading into the Tasman Sea, and the Manukau and Waitemata Harbours. These all provide habitat for bird, fish and a multitude of invertebrate life and provide a link through the City. 

Due to the coastal nature of the City, Waitakere is fortunate to have a large number of species of seabirds, including New Zealand dotterel, variable oystercatcher and little blue penguins living and breeding on our coastline. Major areas of importance to coastal bird life include Whatipu sand dunes and wetlands, Bethells (Te Henga) sand dunes and the estuarine mudflats and shell banks of the Waitemata Harbour and the streams flowing into it.

For further information on the geographical size of Waitakere City see Population and Statistics.