Agenda of Hauraki Gulf Forum

I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Hauraki Gulf Forum will be held on:

Date:

Time:

Meeting Room:

Venue:

Monday, 14 March 2016

1.00pm

Reception Lounge
Auckland Town Hall
301-305 Queen Street
Auckland

Hauraki Gulf Forum

OPEN AGENDA

MEMBERSHIP

Chairperson	Mayor John Tregidga	Hauraki District Council
Deputy Chairperson	Ms Liane Ngamane	Tangata Whenua
Deputy Mayor Peter French	Thames-Coromandel District Council	Cr Wayne Walker	Auckland Council
Cr Rob McGuire	Waikato District Council	Ms Meg Poutasi	Department of Conservation
Cr James Thomas	Matamata-Piako District Council	Ms Moana Tamaariki-Pohe	Tangata Whenua
Cr Peter Buckley	Waikato Regional Council	Mr Terrence Hohneck	Tangata Whenua
Mr Jeff Cleave	Great Barrier Local Board (Auckland Council)	Mr Steve Halley	Ministry for Primary Industries
Mr John Meeuwsen	Waiheke Local Board (Auckland Council)	Mr Paul Majurey	Tangata Whenua
Cr Christine Fletcher	Auckland Council	Ms Nicola MacDonald	Tangata Whenua
Cr Michael Lee	Auckland Council	Mr Leo Koziol	Te Puni Kōkiri
Cr Bill Cashmore	Auckland Council	Ms Lucy Steel	Tangata Whenua
Cr Chris Darby	Auckland Council

Auckland Council is the administering authority for the Hauraki Gulf Forum.

(Quorum 11 members)

Bree Kurtovich

Democracy Advisor

8 March 2016

Contact Telephone: +64 21 710 159

Email: bree.kurtovich@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Whakatau – Karakia / mihi

1 Apologies

At the close of the agenda an apology had been received from Cr CE Fletcher

2 Declaration of Interest

Members are reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have.

At the close of the agenda no requests for declarations of interest had been received.

3 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Monday, 14 December 2015, as a true and correct record.

4 Public Forum

At the close of the agenda no requests for public input had been received.

5 Extraordinary Business

Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-

(a) The local authority by resolution so decides; and

(b) The presiding member explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-

(i) The reason why the item is not on the agenda; and

(ii) The reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”

Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-

(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if-

(i) That item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and

(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but

(b) no resolution, decision or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”

6 Notices of Motion

At the close of the agenda no requests for notices of motion had been received.

Hauraki Gulf Forum

14 March 2016

The Government's new approach to marine protection

File No.: CP2016/04082

Purpose

1. To inform and seek the views of the Forum in relation to the Government’s proposed new approach to marine protection.

Executive Summary

2. The Government has released a consultation document on ‘A New Marine Protected Areas Act’. It proposes four categories of marine protected areas: no take marine reserves, species-specific sanctuaries, seabed reserves and recreational fishing parks, with a specific area proposed for the inner Hauraki Gulf.

3. The proposal has important implications for the Forum in terms of its issue analysis and response framework, interest in marine spatial planning and investment in Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari process, and its role to promote integrated management going forward.

4. Submissions to this consultation document closed on 11 March 2016, and a response has been lodged on behalf of the Forum, and is attached to this paper.

5. The Forum has interests in alignment and successful implementation of the proposed approach.

6. Senior officials from the Ministry for the Environment have been invited to explain the proposed approach.

7. Subsequent presentations on the Goat Island Marine Reserve and the Noises Islands provide context for the proposed approach.

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) retrospectively approve the submission on the Ministry for the Environment’s ‘A New Marine Protected Areas Act’ attached to the agenda report.

b) identify any supplementary points not identified in the attached submission, for communication to the Ministry for the Environment.

Comments

8. On 12 January 2016 the Ministry for the Environment released ‘A New Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Act: Consultation Document’ for submissions by 11 March 2016. The consultation document proposes ‘a new approach to marine protection aiming to achieve an appropriate balance between protecting the marine environment and maximizing commercial, recreational and cultural opportunities’.

9. The proposed MPA Act aims to address a range of issues with the existing Marine Reserves Act 1971 and is intended to replace that Act. It would broaden the scope from Marine Reserves, the only form of marine protection currently considered by the Marine Reserves Act, to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to provide for ‘the creation of a representative and adaptable network of MPAs to enhance, protect and restore marine biodiversity’. It would apply within New Zealand’s territorial sea (from land to 12 nautical miles offshore).

10. The new Act proposes four MPA categories: marine reserves, species-specific sanctuaries, seabed reserves and recreational fishing parks (see Attachment A). The main purpose of the first three categories is to protect and preserve aspects of biodiversity, while recreational fishing parks aim to enhance the enjoyment and value of recreational fishing.

11. Future MPAs are proposed to be established through a collaborative and/or board of inquiry process with final Ministerial approval. Decision-making processes require consideration of environmental benefits and impacts on existing and future uses and values including recreational, cultural or economic benefits and losses.

12. The Government also proposes to establish two Recreational Fishing Parks under the new Act, one in the Hauraki Gulf (see Attachment B).

Importance for the Hauraki Gulf Forum

13. A submission identifying areas of interest in the proposal from the perspective of the Hauraki Gulf Forum is included as Attachment C. It was submitted to the Ministry for the Environment ahead of the 11 March 2016 deadline, after a draft was circulated for review by and discussion with the Forum’s Technical Officers Group.

14. The key points identified in the submission are:

· The proposed approach may have some application to the issues and response frameworks developed by the Forum, but by itself is not likely to deliver an effective, integrated approach

· The proposed process of implementation could cut across and undermine the agency and stakeholder investments in preparing a marine spatial plan for the Hauraki Gulf/Tikapa Moana/Te Moananui a Toi

· There is an opportunity to link the package of recommendations anticipated from the Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari process (by the end of 2016) with implementation of the proposed approach

· There is potential for the application of the four proposed categories of marine protected areas in the Gulf, based on recognised issues and expressions of community interest around the Gulf

· To align with the Forum’s response framework and meet its stated aims, the proposed recreational fishing park will require integration with a broader package of policy tools

· The proposal is silent on integration with the purposes of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act and the role of the Hauraki Gulf Forum as an integrating body.

· The Forum’s assessment roles, particularly its state of the environment report responsibilities, could play an important part in monitoring of the success of the MPA approach and championing its implementation (particularly if integrated in the marine spatial plan developed through the Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari process).

Context for the proposed approach

15. To inform discussion and help test the proposed approach to marine protected areas I have invited presentation of two case study areas within the Gulf, one outside and one inside the proposed recreational fishing park area:

· Recent long term monitoring at the 40-year-old Goat Island Marine Reserve shows the reserve is of insufficient size to protect resident fish and the values of the reserve are being compromised by fishing activity.

· The owners of the Noises Islands have documented degradation of the marine environment due to intense recreational fishing activity and fear it will grow unless introduction of a recreational fishing park is carefully considered and managed.

16. Further background on these emerging issues is provided in the following agenda items.

Consideration

17. The paper was prepared by the Hauraki Gulf Forum Executive Officer with input from the Technical Officers Group as set out in the Forum’s governance statement.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Summary of categories under the proposed new Marine Protected Areas Act	13
b View	Proposed location for a Hauraki Gulf Recreational Fishing Park	15
c View	Submission on the proposed new Marine Protected Areas Act on behalf of the Forum	17

Signatories

Authors	Tim Higham - Executive Officer, Hauraki Gulf Forum
Authorisers	Jacques Victor - GM Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Hauraki Gulf Forum

14 March 2016

Hauraki Gulf Waste Plan

File No.: CP2016/04092

Purpose

1. This report informs the Hauraki Gulf Forum about the development of a Hauraki Gulf Waste Plan in 2016. The authors of the plan are seeking guidance on appropriate engagement with mana whenua, marine users and other key stakeholders.

Executive Summary

2. Auckland Council’s 2012 Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) provides a road map towards zero waste for the region by 2040. It focuses on turning ‘waste into resources’, alongside user/disposer pays for refuse, changes to the service provision of inorganic waste, developing a resource recovery network, implementing the Waste Minimisation Innovation Fund and increasing community knowledge and leadership around waste.

3. The WMMP recognises the unique nature of the Hauraki Gulf Islands and the need to work together with mana whenua, communities, marine users, council and businesses to foster on-island and community led solutions for waste.

4. The Hauraki Gulf Waste Plan (HGWP) is being developed by July 2016 and will outline the practical approach to waste in the Hauraki Gulf. It will include detail on:

· Refuse and recycling services

· Food waste/organic waste

· Inorganic services

· Facilities such as refuse transfer stations, landfills and resource recovery centres

· Marine and boat user refuse

· Litter services including those at or near docks and boat launching areas

· Supporting community and iwi leadership and action to minimise waste.

5. There will be subsections in this plan for Waiheke, Aotea/Great Barrier, Kawau and Rakino; as well as for marine/boat users.

6. It is important that the HGWP reflects the aspirations of mana whenua and engages appropriately with mana whenua, marine users and other key stakeholders.

7. The Forum is invited to respond to the plan development process and provide any advice on appropriate engagement with mana whenua, marine users and other key stakeholders.

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) provide advice on engagement with mana whenua, marine users and other parties in the development of a Hauraki Gulf Waste Plan.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors	Tim Higham - Executive Officer, Hauraki Gulf Forum
Authorisers	Jacques Victor - GM Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Hauraki Gulf Forum

14 March 2016

Hauraki Gulf Forum Executive Officer's Report

File No.: CP2016/04086

Purpose

1. To provide a quarterly update from the Hauraki Gulf Forum’s Executive Officer.

Executive Summary

2. This report is prepared by Hauraki Gulf Forum Executive Officer to update Hauraki Gulf Forum members on the delivery of the annual work plan, follow up actions from previous meetings, delivery of statutory requirements, and other matters of relevance since the last meeting.

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) receive the Hauraki Gulf Forum Executive Officer’s report.

Comments

Follow up to Forum review

3. The Forum Chairman and I met with the Minister of Conservation Hon. Maggie Barry in Wellington on 17 February.

4. The Minister was interested in and supportive of the Forum’s work and encouraged resolution of the governance questions raised through the review completed last year.

5. A three-person working group - Paul Beverley (lawyer), Vaughan Payne (Waikato Regional Council) and Mark Maloney (Auckland Council) - will be preparing its report on governance and presenting advice at the June meeting.

6. This will enable consideration of options and a process and timeframe for resolution over the next two Forum meetings.

7. The Minister indicated interest in receiving advice on the Forum’s recommendations before completion of the current local body electoral term.

Report on co-governance arrangements

8. The Forum’s attention is drawn to a recent report by the Auditor-General on principles for effectively co-governing natural resources. It identifies the following principles:

· build and maintain a shared understanding of what everyone is trying to achieve;

· build the structures, processes, and understanding about how people will work together;

· involve people who have the right experience and capacity;

· be accountable and transparent about performance, achievements, and challenges; and

· plan for financial sustainability and adapt as circumstances change.

9. The report also notes that good environmental outcomes can take time to achieve. Governance arrangements and participants will change. People need to be flexible and willing to adapt, and co-governance arrangements should be reviewed from time to time to ensure that they remain fit for purpose.

10. It includes case studies of how co-governance has assisted six environmental projects to achieve their goals. Available at http://www.oag.govt.nz/2016/co-governance?utm_source=subs&utm_medium=subs&utm_campaign=co-gov-environ

Fisheries Management System review

11. While in Wellington the Forum Chairman and I met with Andrew Hill, Manager – Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector Policy at MPI, to discuss follow up to the agenda item at the last meeting on the review of the fisheries management system.

12. The Forum requested further engagement in the review consultation phase, the identification of a range of policy options relevant to the Gulf, and a report back on how matters specific to the Gulf were being considered and addressed.

13. Andrew advised that the June meeting would provide an opportunity for further engagement, once submissions of the review had been analysed and options were under consideration.

Proposed new Marine Protected Areas Act

14. I attended briefings by officials and by Environment Minister Hon. Nick Smith on the proposed new Marine Protected Areas legislation in Auckland on 16 February 2016. I have also had discussions with officials in several agencies and with external parties in order to inform the submission document contained within the agenda.

Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari project update

15. I continue to be involved in the Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari project through involvement in Project Board meetings, which coordinate agency support, and attend the monthly Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) meeting with senior agency officials, to provide a conduit to the Forum’s work and interests.

16. The project is working well in its new phase under the chairmanship of Paul Beverley.

17. The SWG is meeting monthly to address six major topics in sequence, with the aim of combining all findings and recommendations into a marine spatial plan by the end of September 2016. The latest meeting and production plan is attached.

18. At its February meeting the SWG met with Conservation Minister Hon. Maggie Barry, along with officials from the Department of Conservation and the Ministry for the Environment, to discuss how Sea Change – Tai Timu Tai Pari and the Government’s proposed Hauraki Gulf recreational fishing park are intended to interact. This is an important issue for the project.

Bryde’s whale ship strike working group

19. I have provided the collaborative group with monitoring information from the Oct-Dec 2015 quarter. See attached.

20. It shows average transit speed now 10.8 knots, down from 14.2 knots three years ago, and continued progress toward the internationally recognised target speed of 10 knots.

Black Petrel Working Group

21. A meeting of the Black Petrel Working Group was held on 23 February 2016. The group is facilitated by Southern Seabirds Solutions Trust and I have been able to support its work through providing a meeting venue.

22. The current focus of the group is on ways to monitor success now seabird smart training and on-board vessel management plans are established through the northern NZ long-line fleet.

23. The group agreed to develop a proposal for Government to fast track implementation of onboard cameras, following trials that successfully identified fake flax seabirds attached to the fishing line in video monitoring.

24. The trials were conducted on the fishing boat of 2015 Holdaway Award winner Adam Clow and was funded by the Auckland DOC Partnerships team. See http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1603/S00098/a-new-tool-for-monitoring-seabirds-in-fishing.htm

25. The story on last November’s Welcome Back Tāiko event on Great Barrier hosted by Ngāti Rehua-Ngātiwai ki Aotea has been published in Mana Magazine. See attached.

Weaving the Strands

26. The March issue of Weaving the Strands is currently in production and will be available at the meeting. The content will also be available on the new Gulf Journal website – www.guffjournal.org.nz

27. Screen grabs of issue one are shown below:

28. I hope to grow this as a platform for story telling about the Gulf and am being helped by an editorial board of subject experts.

29. Content will also be distributed by electronic newsletter shown below:

30. Subscriptions can be made on the www.gulfjournal.org.nz site.

31. Information about the Hauraki Gulf will also be retained on the Auckland Council website – accessible via www.haurakigulfforum.org.nz.

2016 Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Poster Series

32. These were distributed on 22-24 February 2016 in the New Zealand Herald and have been favourably received, with many requests from members of the public and schools for additional sets.

33. Distribution of posters will also be made to all schools in Auckland and Waikato through the Auckland Council’s Education for Sustainability Programme and Waikato Regional Council’s Enviroschools Programme.

34. The third poster attracted renewed media attention in the decline of resident animals at Goat Island Marine Reserve: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/297393/crayfish,-snapper-numbers-drop-at-goat-island-reserve. See press release attached.

35. The posters were also featured on the Our Auckland website: http://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/articles/news/2016/02/poster-series-celebrates-hauraki-gulf/.

Media

36. To follow up a speech given to the last Annual General Meeting of Forest and Bird I have prepared an article for the society’s magazine outlining the changes in approach happening around the Gulf since, and in response to, the 2011 State of our Gulf report. The article - to appear in the autumn issue – is attached.

Technical Officers Group

37. A meeting of the Technical Officers Group was facilitated on 5 November 2015 to plan the agenda for this meeting and review work planning and delivery.

Consideration

38. The paper was prepared by the Hauraki Gulf Forum Executive Officer with input from the Technical Officers Group as set out in the Forum’s governance statement.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Sea Change timeline and project plan	37
b View	Ship speed monitoring reports	39
c View	Mana magazine article	51
d View	Press release on Goat Island Marine Reserve	53
e View	Forest and Bird article	59

Signatories

Authors	Tim Higham - Executive Officer, Hauraki Gulf Forum
Authorisers	Jacques Victor - GM Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Hauraki Gulf Forum

14 March 2016

Constituent party report

File No.: CP2016/04187

Purpose

1. This report describes recent activities undertaken by Forum constituent parties which address the strategic issues of the Forum. This report is a regular means of meeting the Forum’s purpose of facilitating communication, co-operation and co-ordination among its members.

Executive Summary

2. This report describes recent activities undertaken by Forum constituent parties which address integrated management and prioritised, strategic issues.

3. This report is a regular means of meeting the Forum’s purpose of facilitating communication, co-operation and co-ordination among its members.

4. The strategic issues framework adopted by the Forum for focus and action identified the following management response areas:

· Regenerating green and blue areas

· Enhanced fisheries

· Mana whenua integration

· Active land management to address nutrient, sediment and contaminant pollution

· Knowledge generation within an integrated eco-system management approach

5. The left-hand column of the following table can be used to link initiatives to this response framework.

6. The sub-headings describe broad functional areas that can be used to categorise activity.

Recommendation/s

That the Hauraki Gulf Forum:

a) receive the constituent party report.

Ministry for Primary Industries

Hauraki Gulf Forum Strategic Issue

Enhanced fisheries

Operational review of the Fisheries Management System

The Ministry for Primary Industries is in the process of initiating a review of New Zealand’s fisheries management system to ensure it continues to deliver for all users. The review will provide the opportunity to think more broadly about our key processes, regulatory and legislative settings. Input has been received over recent months to help inform the further development of this project. A formal consultation process will occur in mid-2016.

Sustainability review

MPI engages on Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and deemed value reviews twice a year to inform decisions for the 1 April and 1 October fishing years.

The Minister has made decisions for the 1 April 2016 fishing year. The TAC for the Coromandel scallop fishery was reduced to 50 tonnes. Scallop biomass fluctuates from year to year and a significant new biomass of scallops discovered in 2011 is no longer available to the fishery. No changes to recreational and customary allowances were made since non-commercial fishing occurs mostly in areas closed to commercial fishers and no changes in scallop biomass in these areas are evident.

A review of the information requirements to support the management framework in place for the Coromandel scallop fishery was undertaken in February 2016 and a report of the workshop is expected by the middle of the year.

Proposals for the 1 October 2016 fishing year are currently being developed. Consultation is currently planned for late May/June. Possible candidates include John Dory 1 and Flatfish 1 but this will be confirmed closer to the consultation period.

Intertidal shellfish management and surveys

Cockle Bay and Cheltenham Beach are closed indefinitely by regulation to the recreational harvest of cockle and pipi. An extension of the current closure at Whangateau Harbour is proposed.

Monitoring will be undertaken by survey in 2016 at Whangateau, Umupuia, Cockle Bay, Cheltenham Beach and Okoromai within the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park to help inform future decisions about the management of cockle and pipi gathering. MPI is also planning to initiate work in 2016 on a broader management strategy for intertidal shellfish.

Collaborative management approach

As a means of mitigating surprise and adverse reactions to fisheries management decisions MPI has been adopting a collaborative and inclusive approach. Examples include SNA1, seabirds and sharks

· The multi-sector SNA1 Strategy Group is completing final details of the Snapper (SNA1) Management Plan. An update will be provided to the Forum when the Minister has received and accepted the report.

· Seabirds

Work to implement the 2013 National Plan of Action for seabirds (NPOA-Seabirds) is ongoing. A collaborative working group has been established to provide recommendations on the application of seabird capture rate reduction targets (a requirement set out in the NPOA).

· Sharks

A collaborative working group has rewritten the New Zealand NPOA-Sharks. Key outcomes was a prohibition on retaining the fins only of sharks (shark finning ban) and the implementation of a risk based approach to better research and manage sharks.

Waikato Regional Council

Regional Plan and Regional Coastal Plan review

Project planning for a review the Waikato Regional Plan and the Waikato Regional Coastal Plan is now underway. The review will be carried out over three stages and ultimately combine the two plans into a single one. The focus of the first stage will be the Regional Coastal Plan and it is expected that a new version of this will be notified for submissions in mid-2018.

More information is available online at http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Council/Policy-and-plans/Rules-and-regulation/Waikato-Regional-Plan-review/.

Surf Break study

Waikato Regional Council has engaged eCoast Limited to identify and evaluate surf breaks in the Waikato region. The region contains three nationally significant surf breaks, listed in the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement. The study by eCoast will determine which other surf breaks are regionally significant. It will describe the physical features and swell corridors that sustain these breaks. This will inform the review of the Regional Coastal Plan.

Tairua Marina

Section 127 consent applications to change conditions relating to the location of a stormwater outfall and to delete a condition to bond sand from Paku Bay to the outside of the marina sheet pile walls were publicly notified and attracted a large number of submissions. Subsequently a mediation meeting with some of the submitters was held at the end of 2015 to resolve some of the issues relating to these applications as well as other issues with marina activities. At the end of the mediation a preliminary agreement was reached conditional upon some more detail to be agreed on. A hearing is currently scheduled for April 2016 to decide on any remaining matters.

Flaxmill Bay

Mid January TCDC facilitated a meeting between community, TCDC and WRC representatives and experts to discuss how to manage erosion at Flaxmill Bay and Front Beach. There was general agreement that soft engineering options were preferred over hard structures. It is intended to set up a steering group to formulate appropriate plans and actions.

Flood mitigation works in Graham’s Stream, Tairua

WRC has commenced construction of the Grahams Creek flood mitigation works. Stage 1 included the majority of earth works upstream of the coastal marine area and has been mostly completed. Stage 2 will commence in March 2016 and then the third and final phase, wetland and riparian restoration will be completed by June 2016. The design provides as a minimum to all properties within the area, a 50 year flood protection benefit.

· Benefits beyond flood mitigation include;

o Recreational access to the harbour above the causeway

o Water quality improvements by fencing out all stream, drainage and wetland areas

o Enhanced biodiversity values through predator control (targeting rates and mustelids)

o Planting of around 16,000 eco-sourced natives

o Design of the spill way to function similarly to saltmarsh (with excavated saltmarsh species translocation to this area)

· No additional costs were incurred through long resource consenting processes as extensive engagement and consideration of other values – such as environmental and cultural, were included in the design and approach.

Marine biosecurity

The Sabella (unwanted invasive aquatic species) incursion in Coromandel harbour is ongoing. Surveillance is currently underway to determine the spread of the pest. WRC has increased the advocacy around stopping the spread of invasive Marine pests by boaties unknowingly carrying them on their vessels from infected waters to non-infected waters. Marina around the country are also supporting the message where in the fact that if a boat cannot prove it has been cleaned within 1 month and/or had an antifoul coat put on withing 6 months, the vessel will be turned away.

The aim is to prevent the spread of all marine invasive species as well as effectively manage what pests are present.

WRC is also working closely with MPI and other regional councils to improve the NZ marine biosecurity.

Auckland Council

Regenerating green and blue areas

Waiheke Local Board

Community Workshops on Marine Protection

The board has convened three workshops with protection trusts and owners of islands within the board area. The purpose of the workshops was for discussion on the new Marine Protected Areas Act, feed-back on the board’s submission and initial dialogue on areas that each of the stakeholder groups proposed as Marine Protected Areas.

Marine Protected Areas Act submission

The board lodged a submission on this proposal which was appended to the Auckland Council submission. The key points from its submission include a request to utilise published Department of Conservation methodology for establishing Marine Protected Areas, opposition to the proposed Hauraki Gulf Recreational Fishing Park, with a fall-back position that if a park were to be introduced a number of “no-take” Marine Reserves should be introduced within the Waiheke Local Board

Great Barrier Local Board

Glenfern Sanctuary purchase

As noted in the last report, a consortium of Auckland Council, the Department of Conservation and Foundation North have been negotiating with owners for the public purchase of this iconic Aotea Great Barrier sanctuary. A confidential report outlining purchase options was presented to the 9 March Auckland Council Parks Sport & Recreation Committee and officers may be in a position to elaborate further on the outcome at this meeting.

Marine Protection Act submission
The board lodged a submission on this proposal which was appended to the Auckland Council submission. The key points from its submission include support for the need for a broader range of categories of marine protection, opposition to the proposed Hauraki Gulf Recreational Fishing Park and a request that decisions relating to the Hauraki Gulf be taken in discussion with the Forum and post Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari outcomes being released.

Stream Mouth clearance

For the last two years the board has been investigating options to address the adverse effects of streams on Great Barrier Island which block at the mouths from time to time causing infrastructure, flooding and environmental problems. Last year it budgeted for and lodged a resource consent application to enable action to be taken and consent is currently awaited. Over new year the value of this approach was demonstrated when the Kaitoke Stream mouth remained blocked for months on end and despite repeated calls for action no agency was able to act. The mouth was finally opened with Council’s permission by digger in early January when local residents septic tanks went underwater raising health issues.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors	Tim Higham - Executive Officer, Hauraki Gulf Forum
Authorisers	Jacques Victor - GM Auckland Plan Strategy and Research