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Who are we?

Preserve New Chum for Everyone Inc

We are the voice of the past, the present & the future, dedicated to the preservation of New Chum beach/Wainuiototo for ever.


New Chum beach/Wainuiototo is iconic, pristine, remote, untouched. 


Recognised as one of the world’s top wilderness beaches, New Chum beach/Wainuiototo is under threat of development. The catchment behind the beach is privately owned and over the years, there have been several attempts to subdivide.


“Preserve New Chum for Everyone Inc” believes that New Chum beach/Wainuiototo is special, a ‘taonga’ (treasure), which should remain undeveloped for future generations to enjoy.


The impact of development which would bring with it houses, people, pets, and recreational vehicles would destroy the very values; isolation, remoteness, pristine vistas and endangered wildlife, that make New Chum beach/Wainuiototo unique.


The significant heritage value associated with this land further entrenches the importance of this iconic location, untouched for generations. It also hosts significant forests and native wildlife colonies which add to its outstanding and important coastal value.

October 2025 - we lost our recent High Court appeal


This month we received the disappointing news that our High Court appeal, held in June, had been dismissed by the Judge. The appeal related to the zoning of the area behind the beach and how far the 'High Natural Character' line should extend. For more details,   view this detailed summary by our Chairperson, John Drummond.


Although this has been a blow for us, all is not lost...


There are still some residual issues to be resolved by the interested parties (the owners/developers, TCDC, Whangapoua Community Association, The NZ Coastal Trust and us). A key issue is the number and positions of house sites and their visibility from the beach.


📣 Funds needed...

The process we are in at present is a proposal for a Structure Plan for 25 houses at New Chum/Wainuiototo to be included in the TCDC District Plan. This has been an 11 year long, complicated process.


We are now nearing the end of the process where the number and location of house sites will be determined. It is critical that Preserve New Chum for Everyone Inc are involved to ensure any house sites are well back and not visible from the beach or the swim zone.


We need to be engaged, vigilant and ready for the work to come. We have very knowledgeable and skilful experts that we need to employ to help us - a landscape architect, planner and legal team. To contribute, see our Donations page (bank deposit or PayPal) or our Give-a-little page


We continue to work on your behalf to preserve New Chum beach/Wainuiototo as a wilderness beach. We thank you for your ongoing support. To keep in touch with what is happening at New Chum/Wainuiototo, click on the link below to join our newsletter.


For a detailed timeline of events associated with New Chum beach/Wainuiototo, click here.