Mokau has a permanent population of about 400, but this swells to several thousand during the summer. Mokau is a popular location for whitebaiting and other fishing including for kahawai (mainly found at the river mouth) and snapper (which are found right along the coast in several spots).
Mokau also has a couple of outstanding surf breaks that, in the right conditions, can produce waves of up to 6ft (1.8m).
A town filled with history, it is the perfect place to escape the crowds and experience the rugged Taranaki coastline.
The best of the west: a heritage trail offering a unique experience of the King Country coast, Te Kuiti, [N.Z.]: Te Kuiti Visitor Information Centre, 1996
Native Affairs Committee, NZ Parliament House of Representatives (1911), Mokau-Mohakatino Block [= AJHR 1.3A, Wellington, [N.Z.]: Government Print
Business history
Barr, H.R. (1979), Mokau mines: speculation in nineteenth century Taranaki (M.A., university?]
Mokau coal fired power station : fresh water supply cost study : prepared for Electricity Division, Ministry of Energy, August 1986, Wellington, [N.Z.]: Beca, Carter, Hollings and Ferner, 1986
Berthold, Martin (1999), Appendix one, fleet list : Bayly, Ogle & Co., Waitara : Mokau Steamship Co.: A.W. Ogle, manager, Sanson, [N.Z.]: M. Berthold, ISBN 0-473-05891-X
Manhire, D.A.J. (1983), An approach to management of the Mokau coal resource (Thesis (M.Sc., University of Canterbury [Lincoln College])
Prospectus of the Mokau Coal Company Limited, New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Mokau Coal, 1929
Abridged prospectus of Mokau Collieries Limited, New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Mokau Collieries, 1930
Rules and regulations of the Port of Mokau, Waitara, [N.Z.]: Waitara Evening Mail, 1913
Phelps, D.J.; Cave, M.P. & Doole, M.H. (1988), Geology and coal resources of the Mokau Coalfield, New Zealand, Wellington, [N.Z.]: Technical Management Unit, Resource Management and Mining, Ministry of Energy
Pickford, A.J. & Crawford, J.D. (1986), Mokau coal fired power station optimum ash content: ash and dust transport and disposal study / prepared for Electricity Division of the New Zealand Ministry of Energy, Wellington, [N.Z.]: Investigations Section, Power Directorate, Ministry of Works and Development
Robson, P.A. (1983), Mokau coalfield energy development, Wellington, [N.Z.]: Mines Division, Ministry of Energy
Churches
Anglican
Parochial District of Saint Peter-by-the-Sea, Mokau : "come unto me", Mokau, [N.Z.]: Parochial District of Saint Peter-by-the-Sea, 1956?
Methodist
Hammer, G.E.J. (1990), Cort Henry Schnackenberg : pioneer missionary, 1812-1880 (Thesis (M.Litt., University of Auckland)
Hammer, G.E.J. (1991), A pioneer missionary: Raglan to Mokau, 1844-1880: Cort Henry Schnackenberg, Auckland, [N.Z.]: Wesley Historical Society (New Zealand)
Geology
Duff, Robert Oliver (1993), Uplifted marine terraces and some other aspects of late quarternary geology in northern Taranaki (M.Sc., University of Otago)
Henderson, John & Ongley, Montague (1923), The geology of the Mokau Subdivision, with an account of adjoining areas, and of the Te Kuiti District, Pirongia and Taranaki Divisions, Wellington, [N.Z.]: Geological Survey Branch, Department of Mines
Manhire, D.A.J. (1983), An approach to management of the Mokau coal resource (M.Sc., University of Canterbury [Lincoln College])
Phelps, D.J.; Cave, M.P. & Doole, M.H. (1988), Geology and coal resources of the Mokau Coalfield, New Zealand, Wellington, [N.Z.]: Technical Management Unit, Resource Management and Mining, Ministry of Energy
Maps
Great Britain Hydrographic Office et al. (1857), Manukau Harbour to Cape Egmont: surveyed by B. Drury ... ; from New Plymouth to the southward by J.L. Stokes ... 1849-51., London, [England]: Hydrographic Office of the Admiralty
NOTE: Scale [ca. 1:295,000]. Large corrections to 1900, small corrections to 1929, ms. corrections to 1931. Ms. additions show [Mokau] river and smooth water limits, and extended river and partially smooth water limits.
Great Britain Hydrographic Office et al. (1893), New Zealand North Island. Sheet VI, Manukau Harbour to Cape Egmont: surveyed by B. Drury and the officers of H.M.S. Pandora ; from New Plymouth to the Southward by J.L. Stokes and the officers of H.M.S. Acheron, 1849-51 ; engraved by J.& C. Walker., London, [England]: Hydrographic Office of the Admiralty
NOTE: Scale not given. Relief shown by hachures. Depth shown by soundings in fathoms. Originally published: London : Admiralty, 1857. "Reduced from the original drawings by Edward J. Powell of the Hydrographic Office."
New Zealand Minimaps Ltd. (2000), Kiwi minimap New Plymouth, 20 Taranaki towns & district map: includes: Eltham, Hawera, Inglewood, Kaponga, Lepperton, Manaia, Midhirst, Mokau, Normanby, Oakura, Ohawe Beach, Okato, Onaero, Opunake, Patea, Rahotu, Stratford, Urenui, Waitara, Waitotara & Waverley. (4th ed.), Christchurch, [N.Z.]: New Zealand Minimaps Ltd.
NOTE: Scale = 1: 35 000 and 1: 275 000
New Zealand Minimaps Ltd. (2001), Kiwi minimap New Plymouth, 20 Taranaki towns & district map: includes: Eltham, Hawera, Inglewood, Kaponga, Lepperton, Manaia, Midhirst, Mokau, Normanby, Oakura, Ohawe Beach, Okato, Onaero, Opunake, Patea, Rahotu, Stratford, Urenui, Waitara, Waitotara & Waverley. (5th ed.), Christchurch, [N.Z.]: New Zealand Minimaps Ltd.
NOTE: Scale = 1: 35 000 and 1: 275 000
Marae
Opening Te Kohaarua, 1987, Maniaroa, Te Awamutu, [N.Z.]: Rosetown Print, 1987
People
Douglas, Robert G. (1995), The house of John Shore, Mokau, Whangarei, [N.Z.]: R.G. Douglas
Gummer, R. Graeme (1997), A man from Te Riu o Puanga : Riu Batley, Auckland, [N.Z.]: G. Gummer
Hammer, G.E.J. (1990), Cort Henry Schnackenberg : pioneer missionary, 1812-1880 (M.Litt., University of Auckland)
Hammer, G.E.J. (1991), A pioneer missionary: Raglan to Mokau, 1844-1880: Cort Henry Schnackenberg, Auckland, [N.Z.]: Wesley Historical Society (New Zealand)
Schools
Mokau School centennial, 1894-1994, Mokau, [N.Z.]: The School, 1994