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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.

April 2025 - Bad news...


In early March, we received a decision about our High Court case relating to proposed changes to the Thames Coromandel District Plan. The plan, first proposed in 2010, would allow 25 house sites in the area -14 in the Whangapoua catchment and 11 in the New Chum/Wainuiototo catchment.


Unfortunately, the judgement did not go our way and none of the legal points we challenged were accepted.


We have decided to appeal this decision, and need to raise funds to return to court on June 10.


📣 Funds needed...

Please donate to our legal fund. We need money to employ quality experts, including Rob Enright, Barrister, pictured below. Rob works tirelessly for New Chum beach, but he must be paid for his expertise. See our Donations page (bank deposit or PayPal) or our Give-a-litte page


We are working your behalf to preserve New Chum beach/Wainuiototo as a wilderness beach. To keep in touch with what is happening at New Chum/Wainuiototo, click on the link below to join our newsletter.

John Drummond, Chairperson of Preserve New Chum Inc (left) and Rob Enright, Barrister (right) at the High Court in Auckland

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