Whangārei Harbour is a large harbour on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The harbour stretches from Whangārei City, and the termination of the Hātea River, south east around the Onerahi peninsula and out to the Pacific Ocean at Whangārei Heads. Its Māori-language name (given by the Ngāti Wai iwi (tribe)) is Whangārei-te-rerenga-parāoa, meaning "the place where whales gather". Another traditional name for this area is Whangarei-o-te-tohorā – "waiting for the breastbone of whales".