"Okahu Bay area was gifted to Governor Hobson in 1841 by the Ng?ti Wh?tua-o-?r?kei. In 1885 the government decided to build a military outpost nearby at Bastion Point instead of the agreed upon land. In 1941 when the Crown no longer needed the outpost, it was gifted to the Auckland City Council and in 1976 the Crown announced that it was going to sell the land to privately to be built into high income housing. The Orakei M?ori Action Committee formed in 1977 and organized an occupation of the crown land to halt the subdivision from being built. Over 800 police officers and military personnel forcibly removed the peaceful protesters after 507 days and destroyed the community garden, marae and meeting house they had built. In the 1980's the land was returned to the Ng?ti Wh?tua-o-?r?kei and a formal apology was issued. The point is now the location of the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park, named after New Zealand's most loved labour Prime Minister.

Today the facilities at this sandy beach include a children's playground that includes a flying fox, baseball court, toilets and drinking fountains. The Okahu Domain connects to the Paritai Parks, the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park and Mission Bay Park. Parking is available and public transit bus stops are located along the beach.

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.

More Information

• Swim Guide - Weather and water quality for Okahu Bay and 8,000 other beaches.