mokau

Mokau is a small coastal settlement in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located at the mouth of the Mokau River and forms part of the Waitomo District in the Waikato Region. The community sits on the Tasman Sea coast and is surrounded by rural land used for farming and forestry. The Mokau River estuary provides sheltered waters and a habitat for coastal and estuarine wildlife, and the area is known for its beaches, fishing, and scenic countryside.

Historically, the area was inhabited by Māori long before European contact. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Mokau developed as a coastal port serving timber and farming industries, and a basic settlement grew to support transport and trade in the region. The village remains a small service stop for travelers and locals, with accommodation and basic amenities catering to rural needs and visitors pursuing outdoor recreation.

The economy is largely rural, with agriculture and forestry as major activities, complemented by tourism based on coastline, river, and natural scenery. The surrounding landscape includes river flats, estuary wetlands, and patches of native bush inland, providing opportunities for walking, boating, and wildlife watching. Governance is via Waitomo District Council and the Waikato Regional Council.