Awesome thanks for that, the same 2 hours either side of low tide for launching window applies I assume. 

I've fished out of Whananaki for the past 6 years and know the channel pretty well.  It has really shallowed over the past 2 years and changed quite a bit so is only workable for me 2 hours after low.  I've edited the map to what I found to be the deepest channel after walking it at low tide.

1 - This is a 5 knot buoy in the middle of the channel just off the airstrip.

2 - There are two mooring buoys in the channel to the east of the launching ramp.  They almost disappear at full run.

3.  Stick to the north side of the island which is different to previous.  The channel around the marker is too narrow to safely navigate across the current.  The sand bar comes out from the island so stay closer to the north side.

4. Another 5 knot buoy. Sta on the northern side as the bar comes out.

5. Navigate around the starboard marker.  Most of the rocks around this are deeper than they look.  Hug the bay around to the port marker

6. Port marker.  Watch the rocks around this

Hope this helps

Have a look over the estuary at low tide and the channel should be obvious.

 

I reckon that aerial pic was taken on a day with bigger swell than normal - seems like more white water round than I remember (I spent 18 odd years of summer holidays in that area as a kid / teen-ager and beyond)

Phantom Menace - yeah there's a ramp on the north side that I plan to use.

Looking forward to exploring the area.

Have a happy New Year all.