Coastline of New Zealand

The geography of the New Zealand coastline is varied. As well as sheltered sandy beaches there are rugged, remote and cliff lined sections typified by the Fiordland area. Ironsand gives the beaches on west coast of the North Island a black colouration. Pine plantation were established on some of the coastal dune sections. Woodhill, Riverhead and Bottle Lake Forest are such examples. Marram grass was planted for dune stabilisation displacing native plants such as Pingao. ==Coastal fortifications==

Coastal fortifications were built around the New Zealand coast line in two separate times: in 1885 during the "Russian scare" and during World War II as a defence against the perceived threat of a Japanese invasion. Some of the installations have been restored and are open to the public.