| Wakatehāua Island | |
| Location: | Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhē / Ninety Mile Beach |
| Coordinates: | -34.686°N 172.89°W |
| Area Km2: | .071 |
| Length Km: | .59 |
| Width Km: | .26 |
| Elevation M: | 7 |
| Country: | New Zealand |
Wakatehāua (The Bluff) is a very small island, beside Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhē / Ninety Mile Beach, one of only two Northland west coast islands (the other being Matapia Island, further up the beach). As the island looked like a canoe, it was given the name Te Waka e Haua.[1] The area may have been populated from the 14th century.[2] Senecio repangae grows on the island.[3] In 1935 tree stumps were exposed, which it was suggested showed evidence that the island had been part of the mainland until they were covered by sand.[4]
The island was being used for camping in 1935.[5] In 1936 the Ministry of Works blasted some rocks to allow driving along the beach by the island at most states of tide.[6] [7]