Piha is a coastal settlement in West Auckland, on the western coast of the Auckland Region in New Zealand. It is one of the most popular beaches in the area and a major day-trip destination for Aucklanders throughout the year, and especially in summer.
Piha and Lion Rock from the access road above
Looking north over South Piha beach to Lion Rock. North Piha beach is visible beyond.
Kitekite Falls
A surfer leaving the water
West Auckland, New Zealand
West Auckland is one of the major geographical areas of Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand. Much of the area is dominated by the Waitākere Ranges, the eastern slopes of the Miocene era Waitākere volcano which was upraised from the ocean floor, and now one of the largest regional parks in New Zealand. The metropolitan area of West Auckland developed between the Waitākere Ranges to the west and the upper reaches of the Waitematā Harbour to the east. It covers areas such as Glen Eden, Henderson, Massey and New Lynn.
Metropolitan West Auckland captured by a Planet Labs satellite in 2016
The Whau River has often been used as a border between western and central Auckland
The Waitākere rock koromiko, Veronica bishopiana, is endemic to the Waitākere Ranges
Many early settlements in West Auckland were along the west coast beaches (pictured: Karekare)
