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Hauraki GulfThe Hauraki Gulf is a coastal feature of the North Island of New Zealand. The gulf lies between Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, and the Hauraki Plains. Sheltered location The waters of the gulf are part of the Pacific Ocean, which it connects to in the north and east. The gulf is largely protected from the Pacific by Great Barrier Island and Little Barrier Island to the north, and by the 80 kilometre long finger of land that is the Coromandel Peninsula to the east. Three large channels join the gulf to the Pacific: The Colville Channel lies between the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier, the Cradock Channel lies between the two islands, and the Jellicoe Channel lies between Little Barrier Island and the coast of the North Auckland Peninsula. To the north of Auckland several peninsulas jut into the gulf, notably the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. Kawau Island is located close to this peninsula. Islands In the west of the gulf lie a string of islands guarding the mouth of the Waitemata Harbour, one of Auckland's two harbours. These include Ponui Island, Waiheke Island and the iconic dome of Rangitoto Island (a dormant volcano), which is connected to the much older Motutapu Island by a causeway. The islands are separated from the mainland by the Tamaki Strait and Rangitoto Channel. Other islands located in the gulf include Browns Island, Motuihe Island, Pakihi Island, Pakatoa Island, Rakino Island, and Rotoroa Island in the inner gulf, around Waiheke and Rangitoto; Motukawao Islands and Whanganui Island in the lee of the Coromandel Peninsula; and Channel Island and Tiritiri Matangi Island in the outer gulf. The Firth of Thames At the southern end of the Hauraki Gulf is the large pool known as the Firth of Thames. Beyond this lie the Hauraki Plains, formed by the Waihou/Thames River and the Piako River. The Hunua Ranges and hills of the Coromandel Peninsula rise on either side of the plains. Beaches Numerous beaches dot the shores of the gulf, notably at Duders Beach, Kawakawa Bay, Maraetai, and Orere Point.
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