Pāuatahanui Inlet Fishing: Estuary Angling Near Porirua

Last updated October 2026

Pāuatahanui Inlet is the eastern arm of Porirua Harbour, a shallow estuary about 3 kilometres long that runs inland from Paremata to Pāuatahanui village.

Flounder and mullet live in it all year, and kahawai come in with the high tide. It is also a nursery for young fish, with a wildlife reserve at its head, so the rules are a little different from open-coast fishing. Set netting is banned here, and a quiet approach with rod and line suits the place.

At a Glance

Location

Eastern arm of Porirua Harbour, from Paremata to Pāuatahanui village, north of Wellington

Type

Shallow tidal estuary with sand flats, saltmarsh and a wildlife reserve at the head

Water

Porirua Harbour (sea)

Species recorded

Sand flounder, yellowbelly flounder, yellow-eyed mullet and grey mullet; kahawai at high tide

Best time

Moving water around high tide, when kahawai and grey mullet come into the inlet

Getting there

Paremata, Browns Bay and Ivey Bay on the south side; Te Ara Piko pathway on the north side

Tide port

Mana Marina (LINZ full-table port, same harbour)

Rules

MPI Central area; no set netting in the inlet; no licence needed for sea fishing

Cost

Free

What You'll Find Here

Pāuatahanui Inlet is one of two arms of Porirua Harbour. It is about 3 kilometres long and shallow, with a maximum depth of about 2 metres, and the harbour entrance at Paremata is only a few hundred metres wide.

Each tide pushes a strong flow of seawater in through that narrow mouth. At low tide broad sand flats show at the western end, though much of the inlet stays under water.

Te Ara says the inlet began as an ancient river system, drowned by the rising sea about 5000 years ago. The name Pāuatahanui means “big shellfish”. Where the Pāuatahanui Stream enters at the head, the saltmarsh is one of the largest remaining estuarine wetlands in the lower North Island, and the Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve protects it.

The Guardians of Pāuatahanui Inlet record at least 14 fish species living in the inlet through the year, and treat it as an important nursery area. Sand flounder and yellowbelly flounder are among the most abundant, and yellow-eyed mullet are resident. Adult kahawai and grey mullet visit at high tide.

How to Fish Pāuatahanui Inlet

Where and when

The inlet is shallow and drains over the flats, so fish that follow the tide come and go with it.

Kahawai and grey mullet adults come in at high tide, and fishing the hours either side of the top of the tide, when the water is moving, is a sensible starting point. Flounder live on the sand and mud flats all year.

What you can expect

• Flounder: sand flounder and yellowbelly flounder are both abundant, and yellowbelly spawn in the inlet. They lie on the bottom over sand and mud.
• Kahawai: adults visit at high tide. Many of the kahawai recorded in the inlet are juveniles.
• Mullet: yellow-eyed mullet are resident, and adult grey mullet come in at high tide.
• Others: eels pass through the inlet to and from their spawning grounds, and the harbour as a whole has recorded 46 fish species.

Care for the inlet

Because so many young fish grow up here, handle undersized fish gently and return them quickly. Whitebait is netted in the streams in season, and the inanga that are caught come through this system.

Getting There and Facilities

• Paremata: near the harbour entrance, with a public boat launch on the north side and a short jetty, according to Porirua City Council.
• Browns Bay and Ivey Bay: shallow, sheltered mudflat beaches off Paremata Road. Browns Bay is used to launch small boats.
• Te Ara Piko: a shared pathway along the north side of the inlet between Paremata bridge and Pāuatahanui village, with access at Motukaraka Point and the Kakaho Stream boardwalk. Check Porirua City Council for the current state of the whole route.
• Wildlife reserve: at the head of the inlet, off State Highway 58 at Pāuatahanui village. Dogs, fires, hunting and bikes are not permitted, and the gates are closed, so park outside.
• Small boats: Porirua City Council says small craft can launch at various places around the inlet. Check the signs on the day.

Rules and Safety

• Sea fishing here follows MPI’s Central area rules. Check the current limits on the MPI page or in the NZ Fishing Rules app before you go. No licence is needed for sea fishing.
• No set netting is allowed in Pāuatahanui Inlet.
• Whitebaiting is a separate activity with its own season, 1 September to 30 October in 2026, and hours set by DOC.
• Rain can push wastewater into the harbour. After heavy rain, avoid contact with the water, and do not gather shellfish if a warning is in place. LAWA lists current alerts.
• The flats are soft and the tide moves quickly through the narrow mouth. Check the tide times and the weather before you wade or launch.

Find Out More

Pāuatahanui Inlet: Common Questions

What can you catch in Pāuatahanui Inlet?
Sand flounder, yellowbelly flounder and mullet live in the inlet through the year, and adult kahawai visit at high tide.

Do I need a fishing licence?
No, not for sea fishing. MPI’s Central area rules still apply, so check them before you go.

Can I set a net in Pāuatahanui Inlet?
No. Set netting is banned in the inlet under MPI’s Central area rules.

When is the best time to fish?
Around high tide, when kahawai and grey mullet come into the inlet. Check the tide times for Mana Marina.

Where do I access the water?
Paremata, Browns Bay and Ivey Bay on the south side, and the Te Ara Piko pathway on the north side. Check the signs at each place.

Is it open for whitebaiting?
The 2026 season runs from 1 September to 30 October inclusive. DOC sets the hours.

Are dogs allowed in the wildlife reserve?
No. Dogs, fires, hunting and bikes are not permitted in the reserve.

Is it safe to gather shellfish?
Only if no warning is in place. Wastewater can contaminate shellfish for weeks after heavy rain, so check LAWA alerts first.

Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.

Sources and data notes 1

• Tides today: Tide predictions: LINZ (CC BY 3.0 NZ).