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A recent study has revealed a sobering truth for one of Northland’s most popular coastal destinations – Mangawhai’s surf beach contains the highest concentration of microplastics in the region.
The research, conducted by environmental science agency Scion alongside the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), surveyed 10 Northland coastal sites and one freshwater area for comparison, earlier this year.
Mangawhai Beach topped the list, showing 6.3 particles of large microplastics per kilogram of sand – more than 12 times higher than the lowest levels recorded at Lake Taharoa Lake, which was used as a freshwater comparison.
Waipu Cove also made the top five, ranking fourth in microplastic concentration. Across the region, an average of 3.1 particles/kg was recorded, with Northland’s results aligning with similar studies in Waikato and Canterbury.
The findings have prompted local environmental organisation Sustainable Kaipara to issue a call to action.
“It’s confronting to have this evidence laid out,” spokesperson Charlie Priestley says. “This research is a powerful reminder that plastic waste is harming the places we care about the most and it strengthens our resolve to act.
“It’s so important we catch the big pieces of plastic waste before they break down into microplastics – once that happens, they’re nearly impossible to remove and can have lasting impacts on wildlife and ecosystems.”
The study found that most of the microplastic particles were composed of polyethylene and polypropylene, materials commonly used in packaging. Researchers suggest that the plastic debris likely originated from larger objects that broke down locally under environmental pressures, or drifted into the area via ocean currents.
Sustainable Kaipara, which was founded in 2019, works with communities, schools, mana whenua, and local government to regenerate Kaipara’s environment. One of its key initiatives is the Citizen Science Programme in collaboration with Litter Intelligence, where locals gather data that informs the organisation’s environmental efforts.
Priestley said the latest findings have deeply affected the group, but also galvanised them.
“We’re committed to protecting our environment, not just for ourselves, but for our tamariki and generations to come,” she said. “We’re calling on our community to stand with us. Join the Mangawhai Activity Zone litter pick-up, or be part of our next data collection next month. These small, hopeful acts really do add up.”
Locals can get involved by following Sustainable Kaipara on social media or signing up for their newsletter. For more information, visit https://sustainablekaipara.org.
