It is a peninsula on a peninsula, being part of the massive North Auckland Peninsula which makes up nearly one twelfth of New Zealand'sland area. Close to the northern town of Kaitaia, the North Auckland Peninsula suddenly narrows from a width of 60 kilometres to a mere 10 kilometres, a width which it maintains approximately for the last 100 kilometres of its thrust to the north. At the base of the peninsula to the east is the natural inlet of the Rangaunu Harbour. Beyond this lies the Karikari Peninsula and the broad sweep of Doubtless Bay. The east coast of the peninsula is dominated by Rangaunu Bay in the south and Great Exhibition Bay in the north. Towards its northern tip is the natural inlet of Parengarenga Harbour, beyond which lies North Cape. Spirits Bay and Tom Bowling Bay are located on northernmost of the land. The peninsula's best-known feature is on the other coast: almost the entire west coast is the 88-kilometre long Ninety Mile Beach. At its northern end, the peninsula widens to 30 kilometres. Here there are several capes that appear to be the northernmost point of New Zealand's main islands: Cape Maria van Diemen, North Cape, Cape Reinga, and the Surville Cliffs, which is the actual northernmost point by a few hundred metres, at latitude 34° 23' 47" South. Only a handful of islands in the Three Kings and Kermadec chains lie further north in New Zealand. Although there are a number of settlements with over 100 people, including Te Hapua, Te Kao, Pukenui and Kaimaumau, the peninsula is sparsely inhabited, with a population of approximately 3,900. For this reason, the area's roads are largely only metalled rather than being sealed. The main road is sealed, the final section completed in April 2010. Ninety Mile Beach is a designated highway, but most rental contracts include it in "prohibited roads". The nearest town to the capes at the tip of the peninsula is Kaitaia, 100 kilometres to the south. It is named after Te Aupōuri, one of the Māori tribes that inhabits it.
Demographics
The 2018 New Zealand census uses two statistical areas to cover the peninsula: North Cape, which it defines as covering the peninsula from Houhora Heads northwards, and Rangaunu Harbour, which goes as far south as Awanui. The combined areas had a population of 3,912 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 513 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 564 people since the 2006 census. There were 1,404 households. There were 1,968 males and 1,941 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.01 males per female. Of the total population, 885 people were aged up to 15 years, 618 were 15 to 29, 1,701 were 30 to 64, and 705 were 65 or older. Figures may not add up to the total due to rounding. Ethnicities were 60.7% European/Pākehā, 59.7% Māori, 4.8% Pacific peoples, 1.9% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 7.8, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 39.4% had no religion, 38.6% were Christian, and 13.5% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 273 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 804 people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,305 people were employed full-time, 474 were part-time, and 207 were unemployed.
The Aupouri Aquifer extends along the whole length of Ninety Mile Beach, and includes lowlying land between Waimanoni and Ahipara, covering a total land area of 75,322 hectares. Groundwater levels are monitored and water allocation limits are set by Northland Regional Council. Resource consents for water takes include conditions for monitoring bores to observe water levels and any saltwater intrusion. There are a number of small lakes in the Aupouri Peninsula, such as Lake Waiparera, Lake Heather, Lake Ngatu, and Lake Rotoroa. There is a possibility to use these as "window lakes" presenting an extension of the groundwater table, there is however, little data available on which to base a conclusion. Use of the aquifer for the avocado industry has caused concerns for the public regarding water security for local communities, and the potential environmental impact on the nearby Kaimaumau wetland.
