We were up in Ahipara Bay last weekend. It's a small beachside settlement about 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Kerikeri just past Kaitaia. Rather a chilly windy Winter's day but it was still good to get out in the fresh air. I have a thing for driftwood, I like seeing all the different shapes and patterns made by nature and the ocean on the wood.
The tide was going out and this particular coastline is at the southern part of 90 Mile beach so you can pretty much drive your car or quad along the sand.
We had the other B's work 4 wheel drive so there was no way we could get stuck. Quite a few people here and there walking their dogs and sitting on the sand with their children.
Ahi means "fire" and para means "fern" - it's translate as "fire at which fern was cooked". Before the 18th century this place was named "Wharo" which means "stretched out" and considering the length of the beach I would agree with that.
