Mana whenua input welcomed

Makorori Beach is set for a name change under recommendations in its master plan — a non-binding document that has been two years in the making. The adoption of the final plan was to be voted on at a council meeting last week, but was a late withdrawal. Picture by Ben Cowper

A master plan for the ongoing management of a popular Gisborne beach was a late withdrawal at a council meeting last week, with no explanation given to the public.

But Gisborne District Council has since revealed the reason for its removal — insights from mana whenua prior to the meeting.

Last Thursday, the council was set to adopt the Maka-o-Riri Master Plan (formerly Makorori Master Plan) which it has been working on for two years.

The non-binding document includes an array of recommendations for the management of the area into the future, including renaming the beach to Maka-o-Riri to better reflect its history.

It also recommends formalising the relationship between the council and Maka-o-Riri hapū for the ongoing management of the beach, naming various stopping points after significant tīpuna and pā sites (as directed by hapū) and adding signage to share the area’s history.

A report recommending the adoption of the plan was the first item on the agenda for last Thursday’s operations committee, but never made it to the table after chair Andy Cranston announced it had been pulled.

Council liveable communities director Michele Frey later confirmed the decision was made after important insights were received from mana whenua partners prior to the meeting.

Those insights needed to be reflected in the final version, she said.

“We are hopeful to have worked through these important elements in the coming months with a report back to council by the end of the year.”

The council would not disclose what those insights were, saying they would be made public when the final report was ready.

Aside from the name change, other recommendations in the master plan include re-introducing threatened plant species, upgrading visitor facilities, improving car parking and encouraging the return of wildlife by restricting vehicles on the dunes.

It is understood the beach’s current name Makorori came from the word Maka-o-Riri, which references both the area’s fishing background and the native aloe plant once common on the northern bluffs.

If the beach’s name is to be officially changed to Maka-o-Riri, it would need to be done through the NZ Geographic Board.