[1] The park covers 588 hectares of land at the end of the peninsula, and is owned and managed by Auckland Council.

[2][1] The park combines a "mainland island" sanctuary for the conservation of native plants and animals with farmland and public recreation areas.

The most significant area of coastal forest is in the central eastern part of the park where kauri and rimu dominate the ridges, with pūriri, taraire, tawa and, less often, rewarewa and nīkau in the valleys.

[3] A predator-proof fence was constructed in the park, making the peninsula a haven for native bird species.

[6] The name Tāwharanui refers to the edible flower bracts of the kiekie vine, and suggests the area was known for its abundance of the plant.