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Rangihoua
Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park Reserve Management Plan Hearing and Approval
Committee
29 August 2023
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Rangihoua
Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park Reserve Management Plan hearings and approval
committee
File No.: CP2023/12015
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To support the hearings process for the
draft Rangihoua Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park Reserve Management Plan 2022.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. The Reserves Act 1977 requires that the Rangihoua Reserve and the
Onetangi Sports Park have a reserve management plan.
3. The draft Rangihoua Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park Reserve
Management Plan (draft plan) is a statutory document prepared in
accordance with the Reserves Act 1977. It provides a policy framework to manage
the use, enjoyment, maintenance, protection and preservation of Rangihoua
Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park as the case may require. To the extent that
resources permit, the policy allows for appropriate development of the reserve
for the purposes for which it is classified.
4. The extent of Rangihoua Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park to which
the draft plan relates is classified as recreation reserve under the Reserves
Act 1977. The Waiheke Local Board has
decision-making responsibility for all local parks and reserves in the Waiheke
Local Board area. This includes approval of reserve management plans for
recreation reserves.
5. The reserve and wider landscape is a significant site for mana
whenua known as Te Rangihoua and includes the maunga and awa. In addition to
its cultural and community values, the reserve has considerable natural values
including the ecologically significant waterways and wetlands that form part of
the Pūtiki estuarine environment.
6. Development
of the draft plan (Attachment A) was informed by extensive research and
engagement with mana whenua, the local community, key stakeholders whose
activities are located at the park and the Rangihoua and Onetangi Sports Park
Reserve Management Plan Development Committee (for committee details refer to
paragraph 32).
7. The
draft plan is intended to convey to the public, how the local board plans to
manage the park over the next 10 years.
8. Proposed
key moves of the draft plan include:
· Involving mana whenua in all aspects of park management, including
creating a strong visual presence in the park for mana whenua.
· The ecology of the park is actively restored and protected.
· The park continues to be the premier sports park for Waiheke Island,
with multi-purpose facilities including shared paths and dedicated tracks,
enabling access and connectivity in and through the park.
· Determine the best and most appropriate use of spaces in the park,
including leases/licences that will protect open space and increase multi-use.
· Golf is to be limited to within the activity footprint shown in
Appendix 1 of the draft plan.
9. In
accordance with section 41 of the Reserves Act 1977, preparation of the draft
plan was informed by two rounds of public consultation. The first round took
place when the intention to prepare the plan was publicly notified between
December 2018 and February 2019. Feedback was received from 191 individuals and
groups.
10. The
draft plan was publicly notified for a second time between 8 September 2022
with submissions invited by 9 November 2022. In this second round of
consultation, 68 submissions were received.
11. At a 26 July 2023 business meeting, the local board appointed
the Rangihoua Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park Reserve
Management Plan Hearings and Approval Committee to consider written and oral
submissions on the draft plan, make any changes and approve the final plan (WHK/2023/95).
12. The hearings and approval committee combines the expertise of
independent commissioners with the local knowledge of local board members.
13. This report provides an analysis of written submissions received on
the draft plan, including preliminary staff responses for the hearings panel
ahead of the hearing of submissions.
14. Attachment
B contains a list of submitters, in order of submitter number. All written
submissions are contained in full in Attachment C.
15. One
submission was late, received in the days following the closing date of 9
November 2022. It is recommended that the hearings and approval committee
accept the late submission and treat this submission the same as those received
on time. Consideration of this late submission will not prejudice consideration
of any other submissions.
16. The
analysis of all written submissions is contained in Attachment D. The
submission analysis includes preliminary suggestions on changes that could be
made to the draft plan, as guided by submitters’ written comments.
17. Key
themes in the written submissions include:
· purpose
of plan and reserve classification
· acknowledgement
of mana whenua
· accuracy
of information
· facilities
for active recreation, sport and community use
· protection
and restoration of biodiversity
· public
access, use and connectivity
· licences
and leases.
18. Twenty-four
submitters have indicated that they wish to speak to their submission at the
hearing on 29 August 2023.
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Rangihoua Reserve and
Onetangi Sports Park Reserve Management Plan Hearing and Approval Committee:
a) receive
the hearings report and attached summary of written submissions with
preliminary staff analysis and comments
b) accept
the late written submission from Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board.
Horopaki
Context
Background
Purpose of the draft Reserve Management Plan
19. The
purpose of the draft plan is to provide a framework for managing the use,
enjoyment, maintenance, protection, preservation and development of Rangihoua
Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park for the purpose for which it is classified.
20. The
extent of Rangihoua Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park to which the draft plan
relates is classified as recreation reserve under the Reserves Act. The reserve
is classified as a recreation reserve under the Reserves Act 1977, which
provides the statutory context for decisions to be made on the draft plan.
Park description
21. Rangihoua
Reserve and adjoining Onetangi Sports Park, also referred to as Rangihoua
Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park or Rangihoua Onetangi Sports Park (the park)
is a 110-hectare local park.
Land within scope of the draft plan
22. The
land within scope of this Reserve Management Plan (RMP) comprises approximately
60-hectares.
23. Te
Rangihoua maunga and surrounding landscape amenity areas, forming a large
portion of Rangihoua Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park, are managed by the
Rangihoua and Tāwaipareira Management Committee (resolution:
WHK/2017/195). These areas are excluded from the scope of the reserve
management plan. Figure 1 depicts areas of the park included and excluded from
the draft plan.
Figure 1: Area in scope of reserve
management plan (source: draft Rangihoua Reserve Management Plan, p10):
24. The
legal description of parkland in scope of the draft plan is depicted in Figure
2 below and set out further in Attachment J.
Figure 2: Reserve legal description:
Overview of park values
25. The
park is the premier active recreation and sports destination on Waiheke Island.
This serves not only the Waiheke Island community, but also visitors who are
taking part in sports and recreation. The park accommodates a range of
organised sports, active and informal recreational and community uses. Existing
uses include golf, football, hockey, tennis, disc golf, horse riding and
mountain biking. The park also incorporates walking, bridle and mountain bike
tracks.
26. The
reserve and wider landscape is a significant site for mana whenua known as Te
Rangihoua and includes the maunga and awa. The ecologically significant
waterways and wetlands form part of the Pūtiki estuarine environment. The
reserve has considerable natural values, in addition to its cultural and
recreation values.
27. The draft
plan seeks to provide sufficient space to meet the sporting and passive
recreational needs of the community. This is considered alongside protecting
and enhancing open space, ecology and culturally sensitive areas.
28. At the heart
of the draft plan is the underlying premise of fostering mutual understanding
and opportunities for collaboration to enable all park values to flourish (see
paragraph 60 for the proposed park vision and goals,
drafted in collaboration with mana whenua and park user groups).
Reserve classification
29. The
extent of the park to which the draft plan relates is classified as recreation
reserve in accordance with section 17 of the Reserves Act 1977. The purpose of
a recreation reserve is set out in subsection (1) for:
…
providing areas for the recreation and sporting activities and the physical
welfare and enjoyment of the public, and for the protection of the natural
environment and beauty of the countryside, with emphasis on the retention of
open spaces and on outdoor recreational activities, including recreational
tracks in the countryside.
Subsection (2) provides
that:
…having regard to the
general purposes specified in subsection (1), every recreation reserve shall be
so administered under the appropriate provisions of this Act that –
(a) the
public shall have freedom of entry and access to the reserve, subject to the
specific powers conferred on the administering body by sections 53 and 54,
to any bylaws under this Act applying to the reserve, and to such conditions
and restrictions as the administering body considers to be necessary for the
protection and general well-being of the reserve and for the protection and
control of the public using it:
(b) where
scenic, historic, archaeological, biological, geological, or other scientific
features or indigenous flora or fauna or wildlife are present on the reserve,
those features or that flora or fauna or wildlife shall be managed and
protected to the extent compatible with the principal or primary purpose of the
reserve:
provided that nothing in this
subsection shall authorise the doing of anything with respect to fauna that
would contravene any provision of the Wildlife Act 1953 or
any regulations or Proclamation or notification under that Act, or the doing of
anything with respect to archaeological features in any reserve that would
contravene any provision of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014:
(c) those
qualities of the reserve which contribute to the pleasantness, harmony, and
cohesion of the natural environment and to the better use and enjoyment of the
reserve shall be conserved:
(d) to
the extent compatible with the principal or primary purpose of the reserve, its
value as a soil, water, and forest conservation area shall be maintained.
Overview of the plan and its development
30. There
is a long history to the development of the draft reserve management plan for
the park.
31. In
April 2018, the local board, who have allocated decision-making for the park,
approved the development of a reserve management plan (resolution:
WHK/2018/151).
32. In
September 2018, the local board established the Rangihoua Reserve and Onetangi
Sports Park Reserve Management Plan Development Committee. The development committee
was formed to oversee the development of the draft reserve management plan
(resolution: WHK/2018/190).
33. In
accordance with section 41 of the Reserves Act 1977, preparation of the draft
plan was informed by two rounds of public consultation.
34. The
first round was public notification of the intention to prepare the plan in
December 2018 through to February 2019. Feedback was received from 191
individuals and groups.
35. To
determine whether the plan was ready to be publicly notified, the draft reserve
management plan was reviewed against critical success factors which include
strategic fit, value for money, evidence-based, achievability and affordability
(see Attachment K).
36. On 29 July 2022, the Rangihoua and Onetangi
Sports Park Reserve Management Plan Development Committee approved the
draft Rangihoua Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park Reserve Management
Plan for public consultation (RAN/2022/7).
37. The
second round of public consultation involved notifying the draft plan on 8
September 2022 with submissions invited by 9 November 2022. Feedback was
received from 68 individuals and groups and included one late submission.
38. The
timeline below summarises key local board decisions relating to
developing the draft plan through to its notification:
Further engagement with mana whenua, park user groups and
community
39. With
the guidance of the development committee, the draft plan has been developed in
partnership with mana whenua and involved extensive consultation with park user
groups and the wider community.
40. In
addition to the feedback received through the two stages of public notification
the following consultation and engagement activities have been undertaken:
Mana whenua
engagement
41. As
detailed in Table 1, staff invited Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki
Tāmaki, Ngāti Maru, Te Patukirikiri, Ngaati Whanaunga, Ngāti
Tamaterā and Ngāti Te Ata, being the iwi recorded with council as
having expressed that they have customary interests in the area, to guide and
contribute to the development of the draft plan.
42. Staff
worked closely with mana whenua, in particular Ngāti Pāoa, to embed
cultural values in the draft plan in recognition of the cultural significance
of this whenua, to foster stronger partnerships with mana whenua, and to improve
Māori outcomes during plan implementation.
43. Staff
also worked with, and input was provided by, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki,
Ngāti Maru and Te Patukirikiri.
44. All
feedback from mana whenua was shared with the Rangihoua Reserve and Onetangi
Sports Park Management Plan Development Committee throughout plan drafting.
Table 1: Summary of full extent of mana
whenua engagement on the draft plan:
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Mana whenua
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Topics of
discussion
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When
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· Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust
· Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board
· Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki
· Ngāti Maru
· Te Patukirikiri
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· Contributed to the development of the draft plan and
provided feedback on:
o land
classifications
o issues
and opportunities
o policies
and actions
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Between June 2018 and
June 2021
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· Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust
· Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board
(Ngāti
Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Maru and Te Patukirikiri
were all invited to the hikoi)
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· Conducted
a site walkover (hikoi) to discuss opportunities and issues in-depth
· Raised
the vital importance of the park and adjacent maunga to the mana and
wellbeing of Ngāti Pāoa iwi, and asked for this significance to be
explicitly acknowledged in the process of drafting the reserve management
plan and in the draft plan
· Provided feedback
on vision, principles and classification
· Invited
to observe Rangihoua Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park Management Plan
Development Committee meetings and workshops.
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Between July 2021 and July 2022
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· Te Patukirikiri
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· Discussed feedback on draft plan.
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August 2021
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· Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust
· Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board
· Ngāti Maru
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· Discussed feedback
on draft plan.
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September 2021
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· Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust
· Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board
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· Provided feedback on the final draft plan which included
that only Ngāti Pāoa
be referenced in the draft plan.
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November 2021
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· Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board
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· Presented to the
development committee at a business meeting prior to notifying the draft
plan.
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July 2022
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· Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki
· Ngāti Maru
· Te Patukirikiri
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· Acknowledged objections raised through the submissions
process to the wording of the draft plan which states ‘Ngāti Pāoa and other mana
whenua’ on the basis that reference to ‘other mana whenua’
is considered offensive. Offered
to meet to discuss alternative plan wording.
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December 2022
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· Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust
· Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board
· Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki
· Ngāti Maru
· Te Patukirikiri
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· Offered to
establish a mana whenua led conversation to discuss alternative draft plan
wording.
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March 2023
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· Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board
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· Received a late submission objecting to the draft plan
wording which states ‘Ngāti
Pāoa other mana
whenua’ on the basis that the draft plan should only refer to Ngāti Pāoa.
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April 2023
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· Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board
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· Held a meeting to
discuss the objection to the draft plan wording.
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May 2023
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45. Engagement
with mana whenua on the draft plan text is ongoing regarding customary
associations with the parkland.
Park user
engagement
46. Engagement
with park user groups occurred using an independent facilitator.
47. In-depth
discussions occurred with eight park user groups (26 people) during September
and November 2020.
48. Interest
in the park engagement grew and on 19 March 2021, a workshop was held with ten
organisations (17 people) which produced a draft vision and goals for the park
(see Figure 4 and paragraph 60).
Stakeholder
engagement
49. Staff
met with Sport Auckland, Aktive and Department of Conservation in October 2021
to share the draft plan and capture their feedback. This feedback was discussed
with the development committee in November 2021.
An independent survey of the park’s watercourses informed
the draft plan
50. In
developing the draft plan, the potential for ecological enhancement was
considered. It was identified that further technical advice was required.
51. As
a result, Morphum Environmental Limited (Morphum) were commissioned to produce
a Watercourse Assessment Report (WAR) of the tributaries in the park in 2020.
52. The
Watercourse Assessment Report included two study phases. Phase one considered
the whole park, and phase two provided a focused study of the south-eastern
corner of the reserve.
53. On
6 November 2020, Morphum presented their phase one findings to the development
committee. A site visit to the south-eastern corner of the reserve was also
conducted, with Waiheke Golf Club and Waiheke Ecological and Environmental
Defence Society (WEEDS) representatives in attendance.
54. The
report findings identified that the stream system in the hills above the park
have very high ecological value. The report also identified a range of actions
that could be undertaken to protect and enhance watercourses and wetlands in
the park. These actions would improve ecology and water quality entering
Pūtiki Bay.
55. Morphum’s
key findings were discussed with council’s Healthy Waters unit, the
Department of Conservation, mana whenua and park user groups. These findings
have informed policies and actions in the watercourses and wetlands
sections of the draft plan.
56. The
Morphum research has driven the proposal in the draft plan to protect the watercourses
and wetlands management area from development and modification in the future.
Figure 3: The Morphum WAR report
overview map depicts permanent, intermittent, and ephemeral watercourses in the
reserve
57. The
Waiheke Golf Club has long aspired to expand to an 18-hole golf course. The
club’s occupation rights, up until October 2022, have included an area of
the park on which this might have occurred. The current occupation rights
of the golf club overlap with the ecologically sensitive streams and wetlands
outlined in Morphum’s research.
58. The
draft plan proposes areas in the park, identified as watercourses and wetlands
and informal recreation management areas, that are no longer considered
appropriate for golfing activities.
59. Accordingly,
the draft plan proposes to limit the future expansion of golf activity through
a new occupation agreement on a reduced scale as outlined within the activity
footprint as shown in Appendix 1 of the draft plan. Future lease discussions
are pending the outcome of the reserve management plan process.
Proposed vision and goals for the park
60. Informed
by the themes emerging from community engagement, watercourse research, and
discussions with mana whenua, the park vision and goals outlined in Figure 4 were
proposed and included in the draft plan.
Figure 4: Proposed park vision and goals
Key moves in the notified draft plan
61. The
key moves proposed in the draft plan and outlined in Table 2 seek to deliver
on-the-ground changes and strongly align with park vision and goals.
Table 2 Notified plan key moves
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From current
state…
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Proposed future state…
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Watercourses
and wetlands with high ecological value but are not being sufficiently
protected
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• Ecology of the park is actively
restored and protected. Many policies and actions seek to deliver this future
state including:
o identifying the extent of natural
wetlands
o improving fish passage
o restoring riparian margins
o restoration of south-eastern corner of
the park
o investigating the opportunity for a
bird hide
o improving water quality
o a planting plan focused on
eco-sourcing
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Public
access restricted through golf course when play is occurring, and the
perception of limited public access generally
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• Both shared paths and dedicated tracks
(with code of conduct) to enable access and connectivity
• Golf course open days and public
access during quieter periods
• Develop new paths around golf course
and in south-eastern corner of the park
• Leases/licences throughout the park to
focus on safe public access, multi-use and protecting open space. On the golf
course, the key focus is safe public access and providing open space for
golf.
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A sports
hub; some facilities getting more use than others
Golf club
has plans to extend course
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• Reserve continues to be the premier
sports park for Waiheke Island, with multi-purpose facilities. Many policies
and actions seek to deliver this future state including:
o investigating new sports facilities as
the island’s population grows
o developing te māra hūpara
play space near sports field
o enhancing environmental standards
throughout the park
o upon expiry of the Golf Club’s
existing occupation arrangements in October 2022, the plan proposes that the
future golf footprint (as outlined in Attachment A of the draft plan) be kept
within the active recreation and sport management area. This golfing
activities footprint includes the area currently used for the 9-hole course
and driving range.
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Little physical
acknowledgment of cultural significance of the park to Ngāti Pāoa and
other mana whenua
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• Strong visual presence of mana whenua.
It is anticipated this will occur through:
o developing interpretation signage,
way-finding and pou
o identifying and protecting viewshafts
and visual connections
o conducting archeological surveys and
protecting cultural heritage and values identified
o encouraging Māori games and performances
o supporting the local museum to tell
stories of mana whenua
o bilingual signage
o encouraging planting for cultural
harvests
o involving mana whenua in all aspects
of park management
o the potential for future integrated
planning on the Rangihoua maunga.
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Informal
use of walkways, facilities, and participation in events
Riparian
planting and park maintenance by volunteers
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• Continue to determine the best and
most appropriate use of multi-use spaces
• Improve universal access to key
destinations
• Continue to support community
participation in a range of park activities.
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Communication channels for second round
of public consultation
62. The
draft plan was publicly notified on 8 September 2022, with submissions invited
by 9 November 2022.
63. The
notification and communications approach for the draft plan included the
following activities: Refer to Attachment E for associated material such as a
copy of the feedback form and public notice.
Public notices:
· Public
notices in Gulf News and the New Zealand Herald on Thursday 8 September 2022
· Via the Auckland
Council website
Multiple media
releases:
· Our
Auckland story at the commencement of the consultation
· Waiheke
Local Board Facebook posts (on consultation start day, and a few weeks prior to
closing, as a last call for action)
· Waiheke
Local Board e-newsletter (September 2022 edition).
Draft plan provided digitally and in hard copy
form:
· A
digital copy of the draft plan was available via the ‘AK Have Your
Say’ portal, which included an introduction to the consultation process
and a feedback form
· Hard
copies of the draft plan were available to view at Waiheke Library and Waiheke
Service Centre. Physical copies of the feedback form were also available there.
Park stakeholders and mana whenua were informed
of the consultation:
· 8
September 2022 - an email was sent advising:
o Stakeholders
and previous submitters of the consultation
o To
inform Department of Conservation of the notified plan
o To
the following Mana whenua; Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki
Tāmaki, Ngāti Maru, Te Patukirikiri, Ngaati Whanaunga, Ngāti
Tamaterā and Ngāti Te Ata.
· 27
October 2022 – a reminder email was sent to stakeholders, previous
submitters and mana whenua advising of the 9 November submission closing date.
Posters and flyers:
· Posters
and flyers located at Waiheke Library and Waiheke Service Centre
· The
poster was shared with park stakeholders and included a QR code linked to the
‘AK Have Your Say’ portal.
Online stakeholder portal:
· Any
public enquires were directed to the Rangihoua Onetangi RMP project email: rangihouaonetangirmp@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
This email was monitored to answer any enquiries.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
Overview of written submissions
64. A
total of sixty-eight (68) written submissions were received on the draft plan
from individuals or organisations via the online feedback form, email and post.
65. One
of the submissions was late, received after the closing date of 9 November
2022. This late submission was received 18 April 2023 via email. It is
acknowledged Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board were of the understanding that a
submission had been made on the ‘AK Have Your Say’ portal, though
it was not received by Auckland Council through the portal. It is recommended
that the hearings and approval committee accept the late submission.
66. Of
the 68 submissions received (see Attachment B for a list of submitters):
· 29
provided feedback through ‘AK Have Your Say’ portal
· 36
respondents made email submissions
· 4 respondents made postal submissions
(noting that one submission made by post was also submitted online which represents a single submission).
67. Eleven
of the submissions were from people representing organisations and sports
groups.
68. Copies
of all submissions are included in full in Attachment C, in order of submission
number.
69. An
analysis of all submissions is included in Attachment D. This includes the data
from the ‘AK Have Your Say’ portal, summaries of written
submissions and preliminary staff analysis and comments in response to written
submissions.
70. At
the time of writing, 24 of the submitters had indicated that they wish to speak
to their submissions at the hearing.
Submitter demographics
71. Submitters
were given the opportunity to provide additional demographic information. The
36 email submissions and 4 postal submissions do not include any demographic
information.
72. Of
the submitters that provided this information (approximately one third of
online submitters) observations include and are compared with Waiheke
Island’s population statistics provided by the Statistics New Zealand
2018 Census:
· 28%
of submitters were female and 72% male.
· 0–34
year olds represent 35% of the Waiheke Island population, but represented only
4% of online submitters.
· 35-44
year olds represent 12.1% of the Waiheke Island population and represent 13% of
online submissions.
· 45-54
year olds represent 16.2% of the Waiheke Island population and 13% of online
submissions.
· 55–74
year olds represent 31.5% of the Waiheke Island population, but represented 69%
of respondents in the online submissions.
· 75
years+ had no representation in the online survey, but make-up 6.6% of the
Waiheke Island population.
· The ethnic composition of the Waiheke
Local Board area indicates 88.9% are European, 11.4% are Māori, 3.8% are
Pacific peoples, 4.0% are Asian, 3.5% are Middle Eastern/Latin
American/African and 1.2% are made up of other ethnicities. Of the online
submissions that identified ethnicity, 93% were from people of New Zealand
European ethnicity and 7% from Māori. No
other ethnicities are represented.
73. There
is a risk that the plan does not reflect the views of the wider population.
However, this risk is considered to be minor, noting that research and
information on the recreational needs of the wider demographics have been
considered in drafting the plan.
Overview of feedback from written submissions
74. All
open-ended submission responses were merged, and provisional responses were
provided by staff (refer to part one, Attachment D). In part two in Attachment
D are the graphs presenting data from the closed questions received through the
‘AK Have Your Say’ portal and postal form. Feedback form (where
closed and open-ended questions were posed) is included in Attachment E.
75. From
the feedback form, approximately two-thirds of respondents supported the draft
plan and the vision and goals. There were strong levels of support for the
objectives and policies and actions (focus areas).
76. A
detailed breakdown of written submissions is included within Attachment D.
Key themes from written submissions
77. Several
key themes emerged from the submissions and are set out below.
Purpose of plan and reserve classification
78. There
appears to have been confusion about the purpose of the reserve management plan
as it relates to the reserve classification. Some submitters suggested that the
primary purpose of the reserve, in other words its classification under s17 of
the Reserves Act 1977 set out on page 45 of the draft plan is not obvious and
should be moved to the front of the document.
79. Concern
was also raised around the suitability of the reserve classification, with some
submitters seeking the park be solely retained as a sports park[1]. Others, including individuals and environmental groups[2], consider the reserve to have ecological significance and suggested
the primary purpose of the reserve should be protection of the natural features
and cultural values of the area. One submitter suggested there ought to be a
more protective classification under the Reserves Act 1977 such as scenic,
nature or scientific.
80. Options
for classification and management of the reserve were presented to the
development committee for their consideration ahead of notifying the draft
plan. This assessment is included as Attachment F. Any consideration of
reclassification is outside the scope of the draft plan process.
Acknowledgement of mana whenua
81. The
draft plan references Ngāti Pāoa and other mana whenua throughout.
Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board (E36) objects to referencing “other mana
whenua”, as they consider this to be disrespectful to the mana of
Ngāti Pāoa at Rangihoua and hold the view that no other iwi has any
historical rights on the whenua.
82. Ngāi
Tai Ki Tāmaki (E26), Ngāti Maru (E27) and Te Patukirikiri (E28) have
all submitted that they also consider themselves mana whenua of Waiheke Island.
They in turn consider it to be disrespectful to be collectively referred to as
“other mana whenua”, when Ngāti Pāoa are specifically
named in the draft plan.
83. The
process of engaging with mana whenua to seek to resolve this matter is ongoing.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and the significance of this whenua to iwi is
acknowledged, and assurances given that no disrespect was intended to any iwi
by the wording of the draft plan.
Accuracy of information
84. There is a need for accurate mapping of the watercourses and
wetlands within the park. Some submitters however considered the maps and
photographs within the draft plan to be inaccurate. The submitters felt that
illustrations should record the reserve as it was in 1989 when council became
responsible for the reserve[3].
85. The plans have been updated to reflect the correct extent of
watercourses and wetlands as identified in the Morphum report. These proposed
updates are included in Attachment G.
86. Other
omissions and errors pointed out in submissions included the correct name for
“Waiheke Island Riding Club”. In addition, inaccurate mapping
of the activity footprint map in the appendix of the notified draft was also
raised.
Facilities for active recreation, sport and community use
87. It
is explicit within the draft plan that careful consideration has been given to
the best use of different areas of the reserve according to its values.
88. It
is also explicit that upon expiry of the golf club’s existing occupation
arrangements in October 2022, that the future golf course footprint (as
outlined in Attachment A) is proposed to include the area currently used for
the 9-hole course and the driving range. Given the sensitive cultural and
coastal environment in the park, there are areas no longer considered
appropriate for expansion of golfing activities.
89. The
aspiration of the Waiheke Golf Club is to expand the existing golf course to 18
holes. Several submitters[4],
including the Waiheke Golf Club (E29), raised concern that the draft plan
limits the ability to create an 18-hole golf course.
90. Other
submitters expressed the view that the golf course should be contained within
its existing footprint[5].
91. There was feedback that all sports codes
need to be specifically referenced within the document, and in the maps/imagery not just a select few[6].
Protect and restore biodiversity
92. Submitters[7] were generally supportive of the objectives and policies in the
draft seeking to protect and restore biodiversity within the park. There was a
particular focus on the watercourses and wetlands management area.
93. A
number of submissions raised concern around the poor condition of the wetlands
area and the need to restore, maintain and undertake weed management[8] within these areas.
94. Submitters
were generally supportive of policies to prioritise riparian planting. A number
of submitters[9] however, raised concern around the ‘up to
10m’ width for vegetation enhancement in riparian margins, specified on
page 30 of the draft plan. Most of these submitters requested this be a minimum
width of 20m, in line with other council guidance, district plans and national
policy/regulations. However, some submitters[10] did acknowledge this
may conflict with some sporting codes.
95. The policies and actions in the draft plan, to progressively remove
barriers to fish passage, were strongly supported by submitters[11].
Public access, use and connectivity
96. A
number of submitters specified that public access must be provided as of right
through the entire reserve[12], including through the
golf course. Waiheke Golf Club (E29) supports the use by walkers and cyclists
on the tracks around the course, but the club raised concerns that the track,
which is accessed through the back of the sports fields or golf course car
park, has poor passive surveillance.
97. The
submission from the Waiheke Island Riding Club Committee (E17) supports the
direction of the draft plan, to improve the shared pathways, and work with the
club and the community to preserve and improve the bridle access points. They
requested this to be a priority within the next 5 years, rather than a
longer-term focus. Other submissions relating to the bridle paths, want to see
them expanded and a commitment to connecting the current small areas of
‘bridle paths' into a network[13].
License and leases
98. The
draft plan includes objectives and policies to provide some criteria for leases
and licences. It also sets out activity footprints for existing activities.
Some submitters provided feedback that the draft plan needs to provide more
certainty around leases and licences, as these are essential for specific sport
codes to operate. In particular, that the draft plan needs to expressly
reference those organisations that require long-term leases[14]. One submitter expressed support for community use of the
park while seeking to ensure it does not negatively impact licensed users[15].
Preliminary suggested changes to the draft plan based on written
submissions
99. Following
review and analysis of the written submissions, preliminary staff comments and
suggestions, including a number of suggested text changes to the draft plan are
provided for the hearing and approval committee’s consideration ahead of
the hearing of submissions.
100. A
summary of staff analysis of the written submissions is at Attachment D.
Comments on possible changes
101. Suggested
changes to the plan, in response to particular issues raised, include
amendments to the history, purpose, objectives, policies and actions (focus
areas) sections. The proposed additions are set out as underline with
deletions as strikethrough.
Table 3 sets out the
suggested amendments within Attachment D
|
Section of plan
|
Suggested proposed amendments
|
|
Whole plan and in particular Cultural Values (pages
16,17) Objective 2 (page 20)
|
· Amend all references to “Ngāti
Pāoa and other mana whenua” following further engagement with
Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Maru and Te
Patukirikiri
|
|
Whole plan
|
· Amend all references to “Waiheke Island Adult
Riding Club” to “Waiheke Island Riding Club” – see
Attachments G and I
|
|
Purpose (page 6)
|
· Shift the reference to reserve classification from
page 45 to pages 6-7, adjacent to the purpose of the RMP. This is to give
greater clarity to both the purpose of the classification and the purpose of
the reserve management plan
|
|
History (pages 8,9)
|
· Recommend that the Waiheke Resources Trust is asked
for further details about biodiversity/environmental history of the reserve
|
|
Vision and Goals (pages 12,13)
|
· Amend the vision statement to simplify and provide
clarity who this is for:
The mauri
of Te Rangihoua and its taonga is protected and restored, while enabling the
reserve to be the hub for play, active recreation and sport on Waiheke
Island, providing wellbeing and enjoyment for the whole community Ngāti
Pāoa and other mana whenua, Waiheke locals and the wider community
|
|
Vision and Goals (pages 12,13)
|
· Amend goal Taiao statement to include reference to
the catchment:
The streams, wetlands and riparian margins in Rangihoua
Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park are protected and restored as part of the
environment, catchment and landscape of Te Rangihoua,
Te-Pūtiki-o-Kahumatamomoe and the Te Pūtiki estuary
|
|
Management Areas (pages 14, 15)
|
· Amend the second sentence of paragraph three on page
14 to read:
This research identified the importance of ecological
restoration in watercourse and wetland management areas and highlighted the
ecological value of the grassland a continuous vegetated buffer
surrounding the wetlands and water bodies for native fauna and flora
|
|
Objective 4 (page 22)
|
· Amend objective 4 to specifically reference the
riparian margins as biodiversity to be protected and restored:
Protect and restore the biodiversity within Rangihoua
Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park, with a particular focus on the watercourses
and wetlands management area, including riparian margins
|
|
Objective 4, Policy 1 (page 22)
|
· Amend policy 1 to acknowledge community restoration
organisations in the policy and include a footnote to specifically reference
Waiheke Resources Trust:
Work in collaboration with Ngāti Pāoa and other mana whenua, [mana
whenua], community restoration organisations and volunteer groups,
all park users and the wider Waiheke community to encourage ongoing active
involvement in the protection and restoration of the biodiversity within the
entire reserve including riparian margin re-establishment
|
|
Objective 4, Policy 2 (page 22)
|
· Amend policy 2 to encompass the broader reserve
ecosystem:
Prioritise riparian planting of
ecologically appropriate indigenous species along the margins of the
permanent streams within the reserve, and restrict access where necessary, to
ensure continuous riparian cover that will filter sediment and contaminants,
and improve water quality and habitat for life associated with the Rangihoua
wetland ecosystem, giving effect to Te Mana o te Wai
|
|
Objective 4, Policy 3 (page 22)
|
· Amend policy 3 to provide greater clarity:
In the active recreation and sport
management area, minimise conflicts between activities such as golf, mountain
biking and horse riding, and the riparian margins to enable these activities
to continue whilst facilitating stream restoration as far as possible
|
|
Objective 4, Policy 4 (page 22)
|
· Amend policy 4 to acknowledge that stream
restoration also involves earthworks:
In the watercourses and wetlands management
area, avoid earthworks or engineering works, except when carried out for
the purpose of biodiversity protection or restoration, and minimise
conflicts between active recreation and sport, and stream restoration
activities, to enhance the health of watercourses
|
|
Objective 4, Policy 5 (page 22)
|
· Amend the wording to strengthen policy 5:
Work with the community to re-establish the reserve’s
natural wetlands, watercourses, and their vegetated margins to protect
and restore biodiversity within the reserve
|
|
Objective 7, Policy 3 (page 25)
|
· Amend policy 3 to provide greater clarity regarding
management areas and to add protection to biodiversity:
Within the watercourses and
wetlands management area and the informal recreation management
areas, a lease or licence should not be granted for sport or organised
recreation, including golf, that require permanent buildings, modification or
development, or compromises the ability to protect or restore biodiversity
|
|
Watercourses and Wetlands Focus I (page 30)
|
· Amend the wording to map biodiversity indicators and
acknowledge existing restoration efforts:
Survey and map biodiversity
indicators and the location, width and shape of wetlands in order to
monitor changes and enable appropriate ongoing management, which may include
restoration.
Lead: Auckland Council and community restoration organisations
|
|
Watercourses and Wetlands Focus II (page 30)
|
· Amend wording to reflect Auckland Council’s
best practice guidance for riparian margins:
o Action II:
o In conjunction with the
planting plan for the whole reserve, identify and prepare a
planting plan for the riparian margins for vegetation enhancement of at
least 10m* (see exception below) along the edges of watercourses throughout the
reserve. Undertake planting with appropriate indigenous species while
removing pest plants and animals (refer to cross section). The
planting plan will evolve as opportunities for planting within the riparian
margins are identified.
o Lead: Auckland Council with Ngāti
Pāoa, community restoration organisations and local sports codes/
leaseholders
o * [include this as a new footnote] In keeping with
Auckland’s best practice guidance, a minimum buffer width of 20m
(extending from either side of a stream edge and wetland) is desirable where
this is achievable and at least 10m where it is not. However, there are some
locations where it will not be possible to achieve a 10m minimum and in those
locations it will be necessary to work with park users to identify riparian
margins and adopt a planting plan accordingly.
(See also
Attachment H)
|
|
Watercourses and Wetlands Focus III (page 30)
|
· Amend the wording to strengthen action:
Ensure that riparian planting works in harmony with
existing golf activities and vice versa, on the northern tributary in
particular, and. Ensure that it is undertaken in combination
with different mowing heights, frequencies and plantings at the rough and
avoiding use of chemical fertiliser and herbicides that can be detrimental to
aquatic life
|
|
Watercourses and Wetlands Focus IV (page 30)
|
· Amend the wording to include specific references as
validation monitoring will be important to the suggestion of fish passage
remediation:
Undertake a fish count and measure the Macroinvertebrate
Community Index (MCI), temperature, pH, dissolved solids, turbidity, dissolved
oxygen and suspended sediment within the watercourses to establish a baseline
against which changes to the water quality, fish habitat and impact of
removing barriers to fish passage can be monitored and publicly
reported
|
|
Watercourses and Wetlands Focus IV and VIII (pages
30, 31)
|
· Include “community restoration
organisations” as a lead, in addition to already identified lead(s)
|
|
Watercourses and Vegetation (pages 32, 33)
|
· Amend diagram to reflect amendments to extent of
riparian margin (as proposed in Attachment G and Attachment H)
|
|
Access and Paths Focus IV (page 34)
|
· Amend the wording to include reference to the
restored wetlands:
Develop
new paths, including around the existing golf course and in the south-eastern
part of the reserve, and to showcase a restored wetland, in
consultation with …
|
|
Access and Paths Focus V (page 34)
|
· Move Focus V up to the “Focus for the next 5
years” section
|
|
Informal Recreation Focus I (page 38)
|
· Amend the wording to acknowledge works already
underway and lead organisations:
Following
identification of extent of natural wetland in the south-eastern part of the
reserve, undertake restoration of this as a habitat for native fauna, acknowledging
and continuing the restoration work that is already underway.
Possible lead:
Auckland Council with Ngāti Pāoa, community restoration
organisations and volunteer groups
|
|
How Reserve Management Plans fit with Legislation
and other Council Documents (page 43)
|
· Consider removing the diagram from page 43. A
diagram is not amenable to illustrate the complex relationship between the
RMP, council documents and other legislation.
|
|
Appendix 1: Activity Footprints (pages 52, 53)
|
· Amend map to colour areas currently grey (as
proposed in Attachment I)
|
|
Appendix 2: Glossary of terms
Definition of biodiversity (page 54)
|
· Replace the definition of biodiversity to that from
Te Mana o te Taiao - Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 2020:
Biological
diversity or the variability among living organisms from all sources,
including land, marine and freshwater ecosystems and the ecological complexes
of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species (including
genetic diversity), between species and of ecosystems within the park
|
|
Appendix 2: Glossary of terms
Definition of riparian margin (page 55)
|
· Amend the definition of riparian margin to add more
description of the importance of these areas:
Riparian margin
refers to the land along the edge of the streams and wetlands. These are
transitional areas between land and water that are important for the
management of water quality and ecological values, and provide habitats
central to the survival of a number of native flora and fauna.
|
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
102. Te
Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Action Plan, adopted
by Auckland Council on 21 July 2020, sets out two core goals:
· to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions to reach net zero emissions by 2050, and
· to prepare the
region for the adverse impacts of climate change.
103. The
draft plan does not include any change in the use of the land or activity on
the land. It does not introduce any new sources of greenhouse gas emissions and
will not impact climate change.
104. The
retention of green spaces improves resilience and mitigates the impacts of
climate change. Open spaces and parks act as collection points for surface and
run-off water, reducing flood risks during storms.
105. The
site is not subject to other potential climate change impacts and hazards such
as coastal inundation.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
106. Consultation
with relevant council units and advice from subject matter experts helped
inform the development of the draft plan.
107. The
council units engaged at several stages throughout the development of the draft
plan were:
· Infrastructure and Environmental Services (including Healthy Waters
and Biodiversity)
· Parks and Community Facilities (including Leasing, Land Advisory and
Cemetery Services)
· Active Communities
· Local Board Services
· Connected Communities
· Cultural Heritage
· Māori Heritage
· Plans and Places
· Governance
· Legal Services
· Ngā Mātārae.
108. Cross-council
engagement has ensured alignment of the draft plan with other council plans
including the Auckland Plan 2050, Long-Term Plan, Parks and Open Space Strategic
Action Plan and Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan, Waiheke Local Board
Plan and Hauraki Gulf Islands District Plan. It also reflects subject matter
expert advice and provides an understanding of the affordability and
achievability of the draft plan.
109. Subject matter experts also helped inform the preliminary staff
responses to written submissions contained in Attachment D of this report.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
110. Local
boards are responsible and democratically accountable for decision-making in
relation to non-regulatory activities allocated to them, including reserve
management plans.
111. The
local board approved the Rangihoua Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park Reserve
Management Plan Hearing and Approval Committee with the
power to consider written and hear oral submissions and
approve the final plan (WHK/2023/95). The committee
combines the expertise of independent commissioners with the local knowledge of
local board members.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
112. Rangihoua
Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park forms part of a culturally and historically
significant landform to mana whenua, as set out in the draft plan.
113. The
draft notified plan acknowledges council’s obligation to iwi under the
Reserves Act and Te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi, in local parks
management planning.
114. The
Reserves Act is one of the first Acts in the First Schedule to the Conservation
Act 1987. In performing functions and duties under the Reserves Act, the local
board must give effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
115. We invited the following mana whenua to be
involved in the development of the plan (see paragraph 41 for more details):
· Ngāti Pāoa
· Ngāi Tai ki
Tāmaki
· Ngāti Maru
· Te Patukirikiri
· Ngaati Whanaunga
· Ngāti
Tamaterā
· Ngāti Te Ata.
116. This
opportunity was taken up by:
· Ngāti Pāoa
· Ngāi Tai ki
Tāmaki
· Ngāti Maru
· Te Patukirikiri.
117. Mana whenua had close involvement throughout the development of the
plan, as outlined below (see also Table 1):
· While
drafting the plan, staff held multiple hui with mana whenua and received
substantial feedback from Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki
Tāmaki, Ngāti Maru and Te Patukirikiri.
· On
28 July 2021, staff and Ngāti Pāoa conducted a site walkover
(hikoi) to discuss opportunities and issues in depth. At this
hikoi, Ngāti Pāoa raised the vital importance of the park and
adjacent maunga to the mana and wellbeing of Ngāti Pāoa iwi and asked
for this significance to be explicitly acknowledged.
· The
Development Committee invited Ngāti Pāoa to attend their
workshops in an observation capacity from August 2021.
118. Engagement with iwi is
ongoing to resolve key wording in the draft plan in respect of mana whenua
customary interests, and otherwise to help inform the development of the draft
plan, and to provide advice to the hearing and approval committee.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
119. This decision has no
financial implications for the local board. Costs for running the hearings process, and the funding of the
independent commissioners, will be covered through existing departmental
budgets.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
120. Through the submissions
process, some members of the community raised concerns over the independence of
some local board members involved in the decision-making process for the
Reserve Management Plan.
121. The local board has
attempted to mitigate this risk by appointing the Rangihoua
Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park Reserve Management Plan Hearings and Approval
Committee, with the power to consider submissions and approve the final
plan. The committee is made up of two independent commissioners, three Waiheke
Local Board members and one Aotea/Great Barrier Island Local Board member,
thereby removing only local board involvement in this final decision-making
step.
122. Concerns over the final
plan not reflecting the aspirations of the local community are mitigated by
extensive research, community consultation and an effectively run hearings
process, chaired by an independent commissioner.
123. Prior
to notification, the draft plan was also evaluated against critical success
factors such as affordability, achievability and flexibility to help the
development committee determine whether the plan was ready to be notified (see
Attachment K for more details).
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
124. Next steps include
conducting the hearing, supporting the hearings and approval committee with its
deliberations process, and making any amendments to the draft plan.
125. The Rangihoua
Reserve and Onetangi Sports Park Reserve Management Plan Hearings and Approval
Committee have been delegated the responsibility to approve the final
plan following completion of these steps.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a⇩
|
Notified draft Rangihoua and Onetangi Sports Park
Reserve Management Plan 2022
|
35
|
|
b⇩
|
List of Submitters
|
65
|
|
c⇩
|
All Submissions In Full
|
69
|
|
d⇩
|
Analysis of written submissions and provisional
responses (includes Have Your Say responses)
|
643
|
|
e⇩
|
Communication channels for second round of public consultation
|
703
|
|
f⇩
|
Classifications Options Analysis
|
721
|
|
g⇩
|
Updated plan with correct watercourses and wetlands
management areas for pages 14/15, 30/31 and 32/33
|
765
|
|
h⇩
|
Updated diagram for riparian margins for pages 32/33
|
771
|
|
i⇩
|
Updated activity footprints so nothing is coloured
grey and the watercourses and wetlands areas are accurate
|
773
|
|
j⇩
|
Legal description of the parkland
|
775
|
|
k⇩
|
Critical success factors of the draft plan.
|
777
|
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Authors
|
Steve Owens - Service and Asset Planning Specialist
|
|
Authorisers
|
Justine Haves - General Manager Regional Services
& Strategy
|
