View source for Farewell Spit

{{Short description|Narrow sand spit in New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Farewell Spit
| iucn_category = Ia
| photo = Farewell spit.jpg
| photo_alt = 
| photo_caption = NASA satellite image of Farewell Spit
| photo_width = 
| map = New Zealand
| relief = 1
| map_alt = 
| map_caption = 
| map_width = 
| location = [[Golden Bay / Mohua|Golden Bay]], New Zealand
| nearest_city = 
| coordinates = 
| coords_ref = 
| area = {{convert|11,388|ha}}
| refnum = 
| visitation_num = 
| visitation_year = 
| governing_body = 
| url = 
| embedded = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_date = 13 August 1976
| designation1_number = [https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/103 103]}}
}}

'''Farewell Spit''' ({{langx|mi|Onetahua}}) is a narrow sand [[Spit (landform)|spit]] at the northern end of the [[Golden Bay / Mohua|Golden Bay]], in the [[South Island]] of New Zealand. The spit includes around {{convert|25|km|abbr=on}} of stable land and another {{convert|5|km|abbr=on}} of mobile sand spit running eastwards from [[Cape Farewell, New Zealand|Cape Farewell]], the northern-most point of the South Island. Farewell Spit is the longest sand spit in New Zealand, and is a legally protected Nature Reserve. The area is designated as a [[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] wetland site and an [[East Asian–Australasian Flyway]] Shorebird Network site. Farewell Spit is administered by the [[New Zealand Department of Conservation|Department of Conservation]] as a seabird and wildlife reserve. Apart from a small area at the base of the spit, it is closed to the public except through organised tours. Conservation initiatives are in progress towards eliminating mammalian predators from Farewell Spit, including a proposal for a [[Pest-exclusion fence|predator-proof fence]].

The spit has been the site of many shipwrecks and vessel strandings, particularly in the era of merchant sailing vessels. A [[lighthouse]] with a tower constructed from timber was established on the end of the spit in 1870 to warn mariners of the dangers of the shoals and currents near the spit. The timbers of the original lighthouse did not last, and the entire lighthouse was replaced in 1897 using a steel [[lattice tower]].

The spit is also known for herd strandings of [[Long-finned pilot whale|long-finned pilot whales]], and has been described as a ‘whale trap’ because of its protruding coastlines and long, gently sloping beaches.

==Toponymy==
The Māori name for the spit is ''Onetahua'', translated as "heaped up sand".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Golden Bays Maori History & Culture |url=https://www.goldenbaynz.co.nz/directory-maori-history-culture.html |access-date=19 April 2022 |website=Golden Bay Promotions Association |archive-date=10 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110012015/http://www.goldenbaynz.co.nz/directory-maori-history-culture.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Abel Tasman]] in 1642 was the first European to see the spit, calling it ''Sand Duining Hoeck''. Captain [[James Cook]] was the next European visitor in 1770,<ref name="TE2"/> showing Farewell Spit as a broad peninsula on his maps. He named close-by Cape Farewell, and the name stuck, with early European settlers originally calling the sandbanks 'Cape Farewell Spit' before it was shortened to its present name. It was the last land Cook sighted after leaving New Zealand for Australia at the end of [[First voyage of James Cook|his first voyage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jasons.co.nz/collingwood|title=Collingwood Travel Guide|publisher=[[Jasons Travel Media]]|access-date=23 August 2011|archive-date=17 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217192910/http://www.jasons.co.nz/collingwood|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:В такой ветер я последний раз попадал когда прыгал с парашютом - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Farewell Spit looking east from Pūponga]]
Farewell Spit forms the northern side of [[Golden Bay / Mohua|Golden Bay]] and is the longest sandspit in New Zealand, including around {{convert|25|km}} of stable land and another {{convert|5|km}} of mobile sand spit. The spit runs from west to east, and is formed from fine golden-coloured quartz sands, derived from the erosion of granites and other rocks in the [[Southern Alps]], and transported northwards along the [[West Coast Region|West Coast]] by [[longshore drift]] with the Westland current.<ref name="TE2">{{cite web |url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/nelson-marlborough/farewell-spit-brochure.pdf |title=Farewell Spit and Puponga Farm Park |publisher=Department of Conservation |date=October 2016|access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=4 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304034135/https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/nelson-marlborough/farewell-spit-brochure.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Grindley |first=George W |date=1966 |title=An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand – Farewell Spit and Cape Farewell |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/farewell-spit-and-cape-farewell |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |archive-date=12 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812223808/https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/farewell-spit-and-cape-farewell |url-status=live }}</ref>

The area of the spit is about {{Convert|11,388|ha|abbr=on}}. Approximately {{Convert|1,961|ha|abbr=on}} is above [[Chart datum#Mean high water|mean high water]], with an [[intertidal zone]] of about {{Convert|9,427|ha|abbr=on}}.<ref>Schuckard, R. and Melville, D.S., (2013), p6</ref> The spit is located about {{convert|50|km|abbr=on}} north of [[Tākaka]] and {{convert|20|km|abbr=on}} from [[Collingwood, New Zealand|Collingwood]]. The small settlement of [[Pūponga]] is situated close to the western (landward) end of the spit.

The sand structures of Farewell Spit consist of two interacting systems. On the southern side of the spit there are older and relatively stable sand masses, separated by shallow lakes and swamps. On the northern side are more recent sand masses that undergo active erosion and accumulation as a result of winds and the deposition from the longshore current.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Tane|issue=24|year=1978|title=Notes on the Geology of Cape Farewell and Farewell Spit, North-west Nelson|last1=Clark|first1=A.B.S.|last2=Thorns|first2=S.C.|publisher=University of Auckland|url=http://www.thebookshelf.auckland.ac.nz/docs/Tane/Tane-24/3%20Notes%20on%20the%20Geology%20of%20Cape%20Farewell.pdf|access-date=20 April 2022|archive-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301040602/http://www.thebookshelf.auckland.ac.nz/docs/Tane/Tane-24/3%20Notes%20on%20the%20Geology%20of%20Cape%20Farewell.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Sand dunes known as [[Barchan|barchans]] are formed on the spit because of the influence of winds predominantly from the west, and these dunes move in an easterly direction. The downwind face is steep and has a crescent shape.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2006 |title=Farewell Spit Nature Reserve |url=https://www.wetlandtrust.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/farewell-spit-lowres.pdf |access-date=19 April 2022 |website=Department of Conservation|via=Wetland Trust}}</ref>

The northern side of the dunes are steeper and unstable being constantly exposed to the prevailing winds that average over {{convert|25|kph|abbr=on}}. The southern side that faces Golden Bay is more stable and largely covered with vegetation. The tide here can recede as much as {{convert|7|km|abbr=on|spell=in}} exposing some {{convert|80|km2|abbr=on}} of mud flats; a rich feeding ground for the many seabirds in the area but also a trap for whales that leads to [[Cetacean stranding|herd strandings]].

==Climate==

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location = Farewell Spit (1991–2020)
|Jan high C = 	21.9
|Feb high C = 	22.3
|Mar high C = 	20.8
|Apr high C = 	18.5
|May high C = 	16.3
|Jun high C = 	14.1
|Jul high C = 	13.3
|Aug high C = 	14.0
|Sep high C = 	15.5
|Oct high C = 	17.1
|Nov high C = 	18.6
|Dec high C = 	20.4
| year high C = 	
|Jan mean C = 	18.2
|Feb mean C = 	18.6
|Mar mean C = 	17.3
|Apr mean C = 	15.3
|May mean C = 	13.3
|Jun mean C = 	11.2
|Jul mean C = 	10.4
|Aug mean C = 	10.9
|Sep mean C = 	12.2
|Oct mean C = 	13.6
|Nov mean C = 	14.9
|Dec mean C = 	16.8
| year mean C = 	
|Jan low C = 	14.5
|Feb low C = 	14.9
|Mar low C = 	13.9
|Apr low C = 	12.1
|May low C = 	10.3
|Jun low C = 	8.3
|Jul low C = 	7.4
|Aug low C = 	7.7
|Sep low C = 	8.9
|Oct low C = 	10.2
|Nov low C = 	11.3
|Dec low C = 	13.2
| year low C = 	
|rain colour = green	
|Jan rain mm = 	90.5
|Feb rain mm = 	72.8
|Mar rain mm = 	77.1
|Apr rain mm = 	103.8
|May rain mm = 	130.1
|Jun rain mm = 	146.1
|Jul rain mm = 	101.5
|Aug rain mm = 	111.0
|Sep rain mm = 	115.5
|Oct rain mm = 	99.6
|Nov rain mm = 	75.3
|Dec rain mm = 	93.0
|year rain mm = 	
|source 1 = NIWA<ref name= NIWA>
{{cite web
|url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz
|title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Farewell Spit Aws
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 19 May 2024}}</ref>
}}

==Protected area==
Farewell Spit is a legally protected area of Crown property, and is classified as a [[nature reserve]] under s20 of the [[Reserves Act 1977]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.linz.govt.nz/layer/53564-protected-areas/data/133876/|title=Protected Areas – Farewell Spit Nature Reserve|publisher=Land Information New Zealand|access-date=20 April 2022|archive-date=20 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420024650/https://data.linz.govt.nz/layer/53564-protected-areas/data/133876/|url-status=live}}</ref> The spit was originally established as a Flora and Fauna Reserve in 1938. In 1980, the status was altered to nature reserve, and the adjacent inter-tidal zone designated as a wildlife sanctuary.<ref name=mgmtplan>{{cite book|title= Farewell Spit Nature Reserve and Puponga Farm Park Conservation Management Plan|url= https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/about-doc/policies-and-plans/conservation-management/farewell-spit-puponga-farm-cmp.pdf|publisher= Department of Conservation|date= January 1990|access-date= 20 April 2022|isbn= 0-478-01264-0|archive-date= 20 April 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220420024656/https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/about-doc/policies-and-plans/conservation-management/farewell-spit-puponga-farm-cmp.pdf|url-status= live}}</ref> Access into the nature reserve is by permit only, but walkers are allowed on the first {{Convert|4|km|abbr=on}} of the spit.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Elen |date=28 April 2021 |title=GO NZ: Farewell Spit, New Zealand's next Unesco World Heritage Site |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/go-nz-farewell-spit-new-zealands-next-unesco-world-heritage-site/NB2FO2J3OXD4TG7Q3HR55JHFJQ/ |access-date=9 June 2024 |work=New Zealand Herald}}</ref>

Farewell Spit was designated as a [[Ramsar site|Wetland of International Importance]] under the [[Ramsar Convention]] in 1976, when the convention came into effect in New Zealand.<ref name="ramsar">{{Cite web|title=Farewell Spit|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/103|access-date=25 April 2018|archive-date=15 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615190706/https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/103|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Schuckard, R. and Melville, D.S., (2013), p1</ref> In 2000, to recognise the importance of the site to migratory birds, Farewell Spit was designated an East Asian–Australasian Flyway Shorebird Network Site.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flyway Network sites – New Zealand |date=February 2018 |url=https://www.eaaflyway.net/new-zealand/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227100656/https://www.eaaflyway.net/new-zealand/ |archive-date=27 February 2021 |access-date=19 April 2022 |publisher=East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership}}</ref> New Zealand became a partner in the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) in September 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 November 2011 |title=A warm welcome to a new Partner, New Zealand |url=https://www.eaaflyway.net/blog/2011/11/09/a-warm-welcome-to-a-new-partner-new-zealand/ |access-date=19 April 2022 |website=East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership |archive-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419061643/https://www.eaaflyway.net/blog/2011/11/09/a-warm-welcome-to-a-new-partner-new-zealand/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Birds==
Farewell Spit provides a wide variety of habitat for birds, including ocean sand beaches, bare and vegetated sand dunes, salt marshes, and lakes both freshwater and brackish.<ref name="TE2" /> These habitats support internationally important numbers of [[bar-tailed godwit]], [[red knot]], [[ruddy turnstone]] and [[banded dotterel]], as well as the endemic [[Variable oystercatcher|variable]] and [[South Island oystercatcher|South Island pied oystercatchers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Farewell Spit |url=https://www.wetlandtrust.org.nz/get-involved/ramsar-wetlands/farewell-spit/ |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=National Wetland Trust of New Zealand |language=en-NZ}}</ref> The dunes at the end of the spit support the only sea-level colony of [[Australasian gannet|Australasian gannets]] in the world. The eelgrass ([[Zostera]]) beds on the tidal flats are used by the largest moulting population of [[Black swan|black swans]] in New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sagar |first1=P. M. |last2=Schwarz |first2=A-M |last3=Howard-Williams |first3=C. |date=July 1995 |title=Review of the ecological role of Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) |url=https://docs.niwa.co.nz/library/public/NIWAsts25.pdf |journal=NIWA Science and Technology Series |issue=25 |pages=3}}</ref>  In 2014, an area of {{Convert|11388|ha|sqmi|abbr=on}} at Farewell Spit was recognised as an [[Important Bird Area|Important Bird and Biodiversity Area]] (IBA) by [[BirdLife International]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014 |title=BirdLife - Data Zone - Farewell Spit |url=https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/farewell-spit-iba-new-zealand |access-date=9 June 2024 |website=BirdLife International}}</ref>

===Shorebirds===
A study of shorebirds in the top of the South Island, commissioned by the [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson City]] and [[Tasman District Council|Tasman District]] councils, was published in 2013. This study reported that from 2006 to 2009, the population of coastal shorebirds found in the estuaries in the top of the South Island represented between 14 and 22% of the total New Zealand shorebird population. Over the period of one year, between 45% and 66% of shorebirds in the study region were found at Farewell Spit.<ref>Schuckard, R. and Melville, D.S., (2013), p13</ref> During summer, there is an average of about 29,000 shorebirds at Farewell Spit, representing 10.2% of the national population. During winter (June), there is an average of 8,500 birds, representing 6.5% of the national population, and in spring (November) there is an average of 20,000, representing 13.2% of the national population. Farewell Spit typically has more than 20,000 shorebirds present during summer and spring, and this meets the criteria for recognition under Ramsar Convention Criterion 5 as a wetland site of international importance.<ref>Schuckard, R. and Melville, D.S., (2013), p17</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Ramsar Sites Criteria |url=https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/ramsarsites_criteria_eng.pdf |access-date=19 April 2022 |publisher=Ramsar Convention on Wetlands |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313090126/https://ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/ramsarsites_criteria_eng.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

During spring and summer, migratory waders make up a large proportion of the shorebirds at Farewell Spit (up to 93% during spring).<ref>Schuckard, R. and Melville, D.S., (2013), p18</ref> Farewell Spit is a site of international importance for migratory bar-tailed godwits. Surveys have found an average of 11,872 godwits are present in the summer period, representing 9.1% of the total estimated numbers of this species in the flyway.<ref>Schuckard, R. and Melville, D.S., (2013), p31</ref> 

Farewell Spit is also of international importance for shorebirds such as the South Island pied oyster-catcher. Surveys have found an average of 6,980 of these birds during summer, representing 7% of the estimated national population.<ref>Schuckard, R. and Melville, D.S., (2013), p35</ref> The spit is also an important wintering area and a site of international importance for the banded dotterel.<ref>Schuckard, R. and Melville, D.S., (2013), p36</ref>

===Australasian gannets===
A breeding colony of Australasian gannets was identified at Farewell Spit in 1983. The size of the colony increased from 75 nests in 1983 to 3,060 nests in 2001, and a 2006 survey recorded 3,300 pairs. The breeding area comprises several discrete sub-colonies at the end of the spit, around 30 minutes walk past the lighthouse. The breeding colonies are only a few metres above sea level, and this is unusual because gannet colonies are usually well above sea level on high, stable rock formations.<ref name="TE2" /> In January 1997, three of the sub-colonies were completely washed away during [[Cyclone Drena]]. In most years, some of the colonies are washed over during very high tides or major storms.<ref>Butler, D.J. (2008), p20</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Walrond |first=Carl |date=22 April 2015 |title=Nelson places – Western Golden Bay |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/29130/farewell-spit-gannets |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |archive-date=20 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420024657/https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/29130/farewell-spit-gannets |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, there were 10,000 birds in the colony.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Eleanor |date=9 January 2023 |title=Farewell Spit: The only way to access New Zealand's longest sand spit |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/nelson-tasman/300777659/farewell-spit-the-only-way-to-access-new-zealands-longest-sand-spit |access-date=9 June 2024}}</ref>

===Other seabirds===
Other seabirds that nest on shellbanks on Farewell Spit include [[Caspian tern|Caspian terns]] and [[White-fronted tern|white-fronted terns]].<ref>Butler, D.J. (2008), p21</ref>

===Waterfowl===
Farewell Spit has been identified as the largest moulting site for [[Black swan|black swans]] in the country, with up to 15% of the total population present between November and March. Significant numbers of [[Australasian shoveler]] have also been reported.<ref>Butler, D.J. (2008), p27</ref>

==Conservation initiatives==
[[File:Farewell Spit sand dunes.jpg|thumb|upright|Sand dunes on Farewell Spit]]
Farewell Spit was leased for grazing from around the 1850s, and extensive damage to vegetation was caused by grazing and fires. In 1938, the area was given protection and designated as a sanctuary. However, wild cattle remained in the area, and 258 were removed in the 1970s.<ref name=":0" />

The adjoining Puponga Farm was originally purchased by the Crown to serve primarily as a buffer zone to protect the Farewell Spit Nature Reserve. Later purchases of Whararaki and Cape Farewell Farms helped to create a viable farm management unit, conserve biological and landscape values, and provide opportunities for public recreation. Puponga Farm Park serves as a visitor management and servicing area for the Farewell Spit Nature Reserve.<ref name=mgmtplan />

As at 2021, there are still [[Feral pig|feral pigs]] on Farewell Spit, and these animals are a significant threat to nesting birds. The Onetahua Restoration project has been launched with the aim of eradicating pests from [[Whanganui Inlet]] on the West Coast, all the way to Farewell Spit, covering an area of more than {{Convert|12000|ha|abbr=on}}. The project is a joint initiative between Farewell Wharariki HealthPost Nature Trust, Tasman Environmental Trust and Manawhenua ki Mohua.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guthrie |first=Kate |date=2019-01-28 |title=Protection and accessibility are key goals for Wharariki Onetahua Restoration |url=https://predatorfreenz.org/stories/businesses/protection-and-accessibility-are-key-goals-for-wharariki-onetahua-restoration/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Predator Free NZ Trust |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gee |first=Samantha |date=29 September 2021 |title=Mission to make Farewell Spit predator free |work=[[RNZ]] |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/452530/mission-to-make-farewell-spit-predator-free |access-date=20 April 2022 |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206105558/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/452530/mission-to-make-farewell-spit-predator-free |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, a proposal was developed for a {{Convert|4.5|km|abbr=on}} predator-proof fence along the base of the spit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frances |first=Chin |date=9 June 2022 |title=Fence and increased trapping proposed for predator-free Farewell Spit |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/128884496/fence-and-increased-trapping-proposed-for-predatorfree-farewell-spit |access-date=10 February 2024 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hindmarsh |first=Gerard |date=17 June 2022 |title=Farewell Spit - a fence too far? |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/128989385/farewell-spit--a-fence-too-far |access-date=10 February 2024 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]}}</ref>

==Lighthouse==
[[File:Farewell Spit lighthouse and accommodation houses.jpg|thumb|The automated lighthouse at the end of Farewell Spit]]{{Main|Farewell Spit Lighthouse}}
The [[Farewell Spit Lighthouse]] at the end of the spit was first lit on 17 June 1870 in response to many ships having been wrecked upon the spit.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Newport |first=J. N. W. |date=November 1971 |title=Farewell Spit Lighthouse |url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-NHSJ02_05-t1-body1-d2-d4.html |access-date=21 April 2022 |journal=Nelson Historical Society Journal| issue=5|volume=2|via=Victoria University of Wellington}}</ref> The original timber tower did not stand up well to the frequent blasting by the sand and salt-laden winds experienced at the end of the spit. The hardwood used started to decay rapidly and the original tower was replaced in 1897 by the present structure, the only steel latticework lighthouse in New Zealand.<ref name="MNZ">{{cite web|url=http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/Commercial/Shipping-safety/Aids-to-navigation/Lighthouses-of-NZ/Farewell-spit-lighthouse.asp |title=Farewell Spit Lighthouse |publisher=[[Maritime New Zealand]] |access-date=9 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208154107/https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/Commercial/Shipping-safety/Aids-to-navigation/Lighthouses-of-NZ/Farewell-spit-lighthouse.asp |archive-date=8 February 2016}}</ref>

The foundations of the lighthouse are only just above sea level, so the lighthouse tower has to be taller than usual for other lighthouses around New Zealand's coast. The light of the {{convert|27|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} tower can be seen for {{convert|35|km}}. The light was fully automated and the last lighthouse keeper was withdrawn in 1984.<ref name="MNZ" /> The lighthouse keeper's house and two accommodation buildings are still being maintained for use by the Department of Conservation, Maritime New Zealand, and tour groups.

==Tourism==
Four-wheel drive bus tours from Collingwood or Pūponga are operated by concession-holders. These tours provide an opportunity to view the large sand dunes, visit the lighthouse area and the gannet colony.<ref name=":1" />

==Shipwrecks==
[[File:StateLibQld 1 171883 Valmarie (ship).jpg|thumb|''Valmarie'' aground in 1922]]
Farewell Spit has been the site of many shipwrecks and vessel strandings, particularly in the era of merchant sailing vessels. Most of these incidents occurred when a vessel became grounded on sand in shallow water near the Spit either through navigational errors or being driven ashore in adverse weather. Particularly notable losses include the {{ship||Queen Bee|ship|2}} that ran aground off Farewell Spit in 1877<ref>{{Cite web |title=The stranding and loss of the Queen Bee, on Cape Farewell Sandspit. August 1877. | url=https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~nzbound/genealogy/qbee.htm |access-date=5 May 2022 |website=RootsWeb}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wreck of the Queen Bee|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP18770808.2.15|work=Evening Post|date=8 August 1877|via=Papers Past}}</ref> and the {{SS|Port Kembla}} that was sunk by a mine 17&nbsp;km off the spit in 1917.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 September 2020 |title=Today in History – 18 September: The Port Kembla sinks off Farewell Spit |url=https://www.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/news/port-kembla-sinks-xk59h |access-date=5 May 2022 |website=Nelson Provincial Museum |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
{{Expand list|date=May 2022}}
{| class="sortable wikitable mw-collapsible sticky-header autocollapse"
|-
! colspan="6" |List of shipwrecks and groundings at Farewell Spit<ref>Petyt, C (1999), pages 40–53</ref> 
|-
!Year
!Month
!Vessel name
!Description
!Tonnage
!Notes
|-
|1840
|February
|''Vittoria''
|Barque
|align="right"| 281
|Wrecked
|-
|1847
|May
|''Louisa Campbell''
|Barque
|align="right"| 274
|Wrecked
|-
|1866
|July
|''Deese''
|Schooner
|align="right"| 96
|Wrecked<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MPRESS18660808.2.4|title=Wreck of the schooner Deese on Cape Farewell Spit|work=Marlborough Press|date=8 August 1866|via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref>
|-
|1866
|September
|''Wallaby''
|Steamer
|
|Grounded but refloated<ref>{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18661009.2.3 |title=Shipping|work=[[Lyttelton Times]] |date=9 October 1866|via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref>
|-
|1866
|October
|''Juno''
|Barque
|
|Wrecked<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18661101.2.4|title=Inquiry into the wreck of the barque Juno on Farewell Spit|work=Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle|date=1 November 1866|via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref>
|-
|1869
|May
|''Necromancer''
|Schooner
|align="right"| 16
|Wrecked
|-
|1871
|May
|''Foam''
|Ketch
|align="right"| 40
|Wrecked
|-
|1875
|March
|''Melbourne''
|Schooner
|align="right"| 53
|Wrecked
|-
|1877
|August
|''Queen Bee''
|Fully rigged
|align="right"| 726
|Wrecked
|-
|1879
|September
|''Messenger''
|Barque
|align="right"| 925
|Wrecked
|-
|1885
|June
|''Helena''
|Brigantine
|align="right"| 149
|Wrecked
|-
|1887
|February
|''Hauraki''
|Steamship
|align="right"| 87
|Wrecked
|-
|1889
|September
|''Koranni''
|Steamship
|align="right"| 
|Refloated
|-
|1897
|January
|''Ruapehu''
|Steamship
|align="right"| 4202
|Refloated<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18970104.2.26| date=4 January 1897|work=Press|title= S.S. Ruapehu Ashore at Farewell Spit|via=Papers Past}}</ref>
|-
|1898
|July
|Unknown
|Barque
|align="right"| 
|Refloated
|-
|1899
|January
|''Sir Henry''
|Brigantine
|align="right"| 
|
|-
|1902
|August
|''Oreti''
|
|align="right"| 
|
|-
|1917
|September
|''Port Kembla''
|Steamship
|align="right"| 4000
|Sunk, suspected struck a mine
|-
|1922
|March
|''Valmarie''
|Schooner
|align="right"|
|Salvaged
|-
|1953
|
|''Arethusa''
|Yacht
|align="right"| 
|Salvaged
|-
|2021
|July
|''Mistral''
|Fishing vessel
|
|Wrecked<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/454375/west-coast-salvage-operation-removes-shipwreck-contaminants| title=West Coast salvage operation removes shipwreck contaminants| work=[[RNZ]] | date=27 October 2021|access-date=6 May 2022}}</ref>
|-
|2022
|April
|''Scorpio''
|Fishing vessel
|align="right"| 
|Sunk<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/128489271/rescue-after-boat-runs-aground-at-farewell-spit|first=Carly|last=Gooch| title=Rescue after boat runs aground at Farewell Spit|date=29 April 2022|work=Stuff|access-date=6 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Tracy|last=Neal|title=Retired truck driver’s life savings sunk with fishing boat after grounding on Farewell Spit |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/retired-truck-drivers-life-savings-sunk-with-fishing-boat-after-grounding-on-farewell-spit/DSZBPRGOKJAMXHPX4RYB4N2ERA/|work=New Zealand Herald|date=4 June 2024|access-date=9 June 2024}}</ref>
|-
|}

==Whale stranding==
[[File:Whales on beach, Farewell Split, South Island, New Zealand.JPG|thumb|right|Volunteers attempt to keep body temperatures of beached pilot whales from rising at Farewell Spit]]
Farewell Spit has been the location of many herd [[Cetacean stranding|strandings]] of [[Long-finned pilot whale|long-finned pilot whales]], and has been described as a ‘whale trap’, because of its protruding coastlines and long, gently sloping beaches.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hutching |first=Gerard |date=12 June 2006 |title=Whales – Strandings: whales and dolphins |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/whales/page-8 |access-date=21 April 2022 |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}</ref>
{{Expand list|date=April 2022}}
{| class="sortable wikitable mw-collapsible sticky-header autocollapse"
|-
! colspan="6" |List of cetacean strandings at Farewell Spit
|-
!Year
!Month
!Number stranded
!Species
!Notes
|-
|1867
|June
|align="right"| 1
|Sperm whale
|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19110322.2.108| title=Untitled|date=17 June 1867|work=Nelson Evening Mail|via=Papers Past|access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
|1911
|March
|align="right"| 250
|"Blackfish" 
|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19110322.2.108| title=School of blackfish|date=22 March 1911|work=New Zealand Herald|via=Papers Past|access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
|1995
|January
|align="right"| 30
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news |work=The Dominion |date=17 January 1995 |page=3 |title=Whales safely back out at sea}}</ref>
|-
|1996
|February
|align="right"| 34
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news |work=The Dominion |date=15 February 1996 |page=1 |title=Whales floated out to sea}}</ref>
|-
|1997
|February
|align="right"| 5
|Sperm whale
|<ref>{{cite news |work=The Dominion |date=25 February 1997 |page=1 |title=Rare strandings}}</ref>
|-
|1998
|December
|align="right"| 28
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news |work=The Dominion |date=31 December 1998 |page=1 |title=Whales refloated}}</ref>
|-
|2002
|April
|align="right"| 4
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news |work=Nelson Mail |date=1 May 2002 |page=1 |title=Pilot whales taken to 'graveyard'|first=Brandon |last=Sparrow}}</ref>
|-
|2002
|September
|align="right"| 1
|Pygmy right whale
|<ref>{{cite news |work=Nelson Mail |date=20 September 2002 |page=1 |title=Stranded rare whale helped back to sea |first=Brandon |last=Sparrow}}</ref>
|-
|2005
|December
|align="right"| 123
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news |work=Dominion Post |date=21 December 2005 |page=1 |title=Frantic efforts to save whales |first=Anna |last=Chalmers}}</ref>
|-
|2005
|December
|align="right"| 49
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news |work=The Press |date=2 January 2006 |page=1 |title=DOC staff braced for more whale strandings |first=Sean |last=Scanlon}}</ref>
|-
|2006
|January
|align="right"| 5
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news |work=The Press |date=17 January 2006 |page=4 |title=Whales beach at spit |first=Helen |last=Murdoch}}</ref>
|-
|2011
|February
|align="right"| 70
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/5870779/Stranded-whale-pic-tells-moving-story | title=Stranded whale pic tells moving story|work=Stuff| date=31 October 2011|access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
|2012
|January
|align="right"| 90
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/6300098/Golden-Bay-whale-stranding| title=Golden Bay whale stranding| date=25 January 2012| work=Stuff| access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
|2012
|November
|align="right"| 28
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Whales-stranded-on-Farewell-Spit/tabid/1160/articleID/276799/Default.aspx| work= 3 News NZ| title= Whales stranded on Farewell Spit| date= 15 November 2012| access-date= 15 November 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140201153031/http://www.3news.co.nz/Whales-stranded-on-Farewell-Spit/tabid/1160/articleID/276799/Default.aspx| archive-date= 1 February 2014| url-status= dead}}</ref>
|-
|2014
|January
|align="right"| 13
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/the-wireless/370952/refloat|title=Whale re-float attempt| date=15 January 2014|work=[[RNZ]] |access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
|2015
|February
|align=right|198
|Pilot whale
|<ref name="HuffPost 2015">{{cite web | title=Nearly 200 Whales Stranded On New Zealand Beach | website=The Huffington Post | date=13 February 2015 | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/13/stranded-whales-new-zealand_n_6675988.html | access-date=14 February 2015 | archive-date=14 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214235339/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/13/stranded-whales-new-zealand_n_6675988.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> 
|-
|2017
|February
|align="right"| 416
|Pilot whale
|third-largest stranding on record in NZ<ref>{{cite news| first1=Nina| last1= Hindmarsh| first2= Hannah| last2= Bartlett| first3=Warren| last3=Gamble| title=Mass whale stranding at Farewell Spit| work=Stuff| date=10 February 2017|
url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/89265113/mass-whale-stranding-at-farewell-spit?rm=m|access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
|2020
|December
|align="right"| 1
|Sei whale
|<ref>{{cite news|first1=Joel|last1=MacManus|first2=Cherie|last2=Sivignon| url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/123611123/dead-17metre-30-tonne-beached-whale-near-farewell-spit-to-be-refloated-towed-out-at-high-tide| title=Dead 17-metre, 30 tonne beached whale near Farewell Spit to be refloated, towed out at high tide| date=5 December 2020|work=Stuff| access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
|2022
|February
|align="right"| 49
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news| first1=Nina| last1=Hindmarsh| first2=Skara| last2= Bohny| date=22 February 2021|title=Human chain of 150 volunteers guide 40 stranded pilot whales back to sea| work=Stuff| url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/124318871/reports-of-up-to-50-whales-stranded-at-farewell-spit?rm=a|access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
|2022
|March
|align="right"| 36
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news|first=Sophie |last=Harris| url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300544061/mass-whale-stranding-at-farewell-spit-reports-of-a-number-of-deaths |title=Mass whale stranding at Farewell Spit, reports of 'a number' of deaths|date=17 March 2022|work=Stuff|access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
|2024
|December
|align="right"| 40
|Pilot whale
|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535455/whales-stranded-at-farewell-spit |title=Whales stranded at Farewell Spit|work=[[RNZ]]|date=2 December 2024}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book |first=Chris |last=Petyt |title=Farewell Spit : a changing landscape : history and natural history |year=1999 |publisher=Terracotta Books|location=Takaka, New Zealand|isbn=0473055392}}
* {{cite book |last1=Schuckard |first1=Rob |url= http://www.nelsonpubliclibraries.co.nz/assets/Environment/Downloads/Top-of-South-Shorebird-Report-2013-pdf-Adobe-Acrobat-Pro-Extended-pdf.pdf |title=Shorebirds of Farewell Spit, Golden Bay and Tasman Bay |last2=Melville |first2=David S. |publisher=The Ornithological Society of New Zealand |year=2013 |access-date=19 April 2022 |via=Nelson Public Library}}
* {{cite book |title=Tasman District Biodiversity Overview – Indigenous terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates|last1=Butler|first1= D.J.|date= November 2008 |url=https://www.tasman.govt.nz/document/serve/Biodiversity%20Overview%20Information%20on%20the%20Special%20Native%20Animals%20and%20Insects%20in%20Tasman%20District.pdf?DocID=28027 |publisher= Tasman District Council|isbn=978-1-877445-06-4|access-date=20 April 2022}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Farewell Spit}}
* [https://rsis.ramsar.org/RISapp/files/577/pictures/NZ103_map180320.pdf Map of Farewell Spit] at Ramsar.org
* [https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/farewell-spit-and-puponga-farm-park/ Farewell Spit and Puponga Farm Park] at the Department of Conservation
* [https://www.doc.govt.nz/about-us/our-policies-and-plans/statutory-plans/statutory-plan-publications/conservation-management-plans/farewell-spit-nature-reserve-and-puponga-farm-management-plan/ Farewell Spit Nature Reserve and Puponga Farm Management Plan (1990)] at the Department of Conservation
* [https://www.farewellspit.com/ Farewell Spit Tours] concession holder website
* [https://onetahuarestoration.org.nz/ Onetahua Restoration] pest-free project website
* Conservation at Farewell Spit discussed in [[Kim Hill (broadcaster)|Kim Hill]] interview with Peter Butler on [[RNZ]] - [https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018907186 16 September 2023 from 13:30]

{{coord|40|31|S|172|52|E|scale:500000_source:GNS|display=title}}
{{Protected areas of New Zealand|state=collapsed}}
{{Tasman District|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Landforms of the Tasman District]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Spits of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Transport buildings and structures in the Tasman District]]
[[Category:Golden Bay]]
[[Category:Lighthouses in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Protected areas of the Tasman District]]
[[Category:Nature reserves in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in the Tasman District]]
[[Category:Birdwatching sites in New Zealand]]