As with its southern counterpart, the size of the bight depends to a large extent on the source referring to it. Strict definitions refer to it stretching from the mouth of the Waitara River 10 kilometres northeast of New Plymouth to the mouth of the Mokau River. More loose descriptions of the bight refer to it extending as far north as Tirua Point, 50 kilometres southwest of Te Kuiti, or even to Albatross Point, close to the entrance to Kawhia Harbour.