Tucked along the western edge of the Ihumātao Peninsula in Māngere, just 4 km northwest of Auckland Airport, Ō Whata / Renton Beach is a secluded stretch of tidal coastline rich in geological history. Often missed by casual visitors, this narrow black-sand beach reveals more than just coastal views; it’s home to fossilised tree trunks, including kauri, and provides a window into the distant natural past of Tāmaki Makaurau. These fossil remains are visually significant but are much less well-known than the kauri fossils at Fossil Point in Takapuna, Auckland, and the fossilised forest at Curio Bay in the Catlins.
At low tide, you can walk along the beach on the edge of the Manuaku Harbour and see two distinct periods of tree fossilisation, exposed in the eroded coastal shelf. Some are upright, rooted in ancient soil layers in the cliff above the beach, while others are partially embedded in the sandstone of the coastal shelf, only exposed at low tide. The cliff-bound fossils, which are relatively modern at 90,000 years old, are the remains of a podocarp forest. The much larger, more spectacular fossil tree trunks revealed at low tide are kauri. They are thought to be 100s of thousands of years old. Be aware that the fossils are protected, and removing or damaging them is strictly prohibited.
Despite its quiet atmosphere today, this coast once supported Māori kāinga (settlements), which had access to kai moana (seafood) and fresh water. The name Ō Whata refers to storage platforms or elevated food stores, suggesting that this area was used not only for gathering but also for managing seasonal food supplies. Evidence of Māori occupation, including middens and gardens, has been recorded nearby, linking this beach to the broader history of Ihumātao and Māngere Mountain.
Renton Beach is also a good spot for birdwatching, especially during seasonal migrations. Herons, stilts, and godwits all forage here, joined in recent years by increasing numbers of royal spoonbills / kōtuku ngutupapa as harbour water quality has improved. In spring and summer, look for their long white silhouettes feeding along the shallows.
Ō Whata / Renton Beach is accessed from the end of Renton Road, off Ihumātao Road. You can also walk or bike from the southeast end of Ōtuataua Stonefields to the beach (about 1.7 km). There is a car park at the end of the road and a picnic table above the beach, with steps down to the beach. The best time is low tide, so check before you arrive.
