Feedback gathered from Hauraki Gulf communities - including the Whangamata community and those on the Waitemata Harbour and Coromandel coasts - is helping to shape a major marine planning exercise for the Hauraki Gulf. Now, communities have another opportunity to have their say.
The Hauraki Gulf is considered a national taonga, highly valued by people of all cultures and backgrounds. From January to June this year, Sea Change - Tai Timu Tai Pari undertook a series of 27 'Listening Posts' around the Hauraki Gulf.
Some 250 people took part in the Listening Posts, where they were encouraged to remember what the Gulf was like in the past, how they think it has evolved today, and what their wishes are for its future.
"People in these communities have intimate knowledge of the Gulf, its resources and how the marine space works," said Nick Main, Independent chairman of the Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) tasked with delivering the Sea Change - Tai Timu Tai Pari marine spatial plan.
"We wanted to make sure their knowledge and ideas were captured very early in the Sea Change - Tai Timu Tai Pari process and used to inform our on-going work."
Sea Change is a ground-breaking initiative designed to secure a healthy, productive and sustainable future for the Hauraki Gulf. The goal of Sea Change is to develop a marine spatial plan that will achieve a Hauraki Gulf that is vibrant with life and healthy mauri, is increasingly productive, and supports healthy and prosperous communities.
The outcome of the project will be the first Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan, completed by September next year. This plan will ultimately inform how the Hauraki Gulf is shared, used and safeguarded for future generations.
Issues identified during a Listening Post forum in Whangamata included:
- A decline in fish and shellfish numbers
- Sedimentation and water quality issues affecting the harbour ecosystem
- Mangrove encroachment
- Residential developments restricting public access.
Listening Posts have now been completed. The knowledge and ideas captured have been summarised into a booklet entitled The Voices of the Gulf and are being used by SWG to inform its work.
Both this booklet and a full record of the Listening Post discussions, organised by topic and location, are available for download via the Sea Change - Tai Timu Tai Pari website (www.seachange.org.nz).
The project team will be providing information and answering questions at recreational events this summer. The team's next event is the Auckland On Water Boat Show at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour from September 25-28.
The Sea Change - Tai Timu Tai Pari Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan, to be produced by next September, will balance the needs of gulf users with the needs of the environment.
Mana whenua and key organisations in the Hauraki Gulf area are partners in this project.
The plan will not be a legal document, but will guide regulatory authorities and statutory processes.