Maori unveil green plan for Matapihi

The hapu management plan includes controlling mangroves.

Protection of environmental values on Tauranga's peaceful green backdrop is a feature of a far-reaching plan drawn up by Maori to manage Matapihi Peninsula.

The hapu management plan includes controlling mangroves and stopping sediment from polluting Tauranga Harbour.

Plan author Kia Maia Ellis unveiled the plan yesterday on behalf of a project team from Matapihi's two hapu (sub-tribes) Ngai Tukairangi and Ngati Tapu.

She told the joint Tangata Whenua/Tauranga City Council committee the plan was primarily about cultural and environment expectations and how the council could better engage with hapu to achieve their objectives.

A year's work went into the plan which was about how the hapu communities could become active guardians of the environment and improve horticultural and agricultural training for young people.

It was accompanied by an action plan to ensure the document did not "sit on a shelf and gather dust".

Ms Ellis highlighted the link between kaimoana (seafood) and keeping water clean. It extended to the environmental damage caused by the growing number of black swans feeding on Tauranga Harbour.

The plan called for hapu to investigate mangrove management and identify areas where mangroves should be removed.

Land management practices should also be improved to reduce stormwater discharge sediment entering the harbour.

Hapu will seek a formal agreement with the Department of Conservation to manage Mount Maunganui's two off-shore islands of Moturiki (Leisure Island) and Motuotau (Rabbit Island).

The hapu management plan said Matapihi needed to keep its rural character and not be included inside Tauranga's urban boundary.

An environment unit could be set up to deal with issues such as the plan being implemented in local and regional council planning and resource consent processes, and raising funds for environmental enhancement projects.

Hapu also wanted to become more proactive in dealing with issues such as noise pollution and chemical pollution such as toxic sprays.