Tangata whenua wanted to explore sustainable development opportunities to create the jobs to bring people back to Matakana. And although the forested "sand barrier" side of Matakana was privately owned, the plan noted that a sense of duty and obligation remained for tangata whenua to exercise guardianship over this land.
"The challenge for the island is to balance the proprietary and legal rights of private land owners with the cultural values of tangata whenua."
The plan said the island's way of life was typified by its isolation, rural character and absence of large residential, commercial or tourist developments. This gave rise to the relaxed and highly self-sufficient lifestyles of islanders. A leading concern of islanders was the unknown impact that future development of the forested land would have on the social fabric of the island, specifically the risk of creating class distinctions.
The council will develop criteria to manage the scale and nature of land use and subdivision to ensure the farmland retained a rural feel, and buildings on the forested side of Matakana blended with the landscape. Criteria will also ensure that future development on the forested sand barrier did not overwhelm the social cohesiveness of the island.
Buildings on the farmed and forested sides of Matakana must be set back from the water's edge, with buffer strips to protect significant ecological areas. Changes will be considered to manage subdivision by setting maximum densities instead of minimum lot sizes. Development should also not have any flow-on effects for housing affordability such as increasing land values.
Future business opportunities for Matakana Island
Aquaculture
High value niche market garden crops
Diversifying plantation forestry into trees for specialist markets
Planting manuka as a source of pollen for honey production
Homestays and small-scale eco-tourism
Horseriding, cycling, wildlife watching, heritage and cultural tours.