Name change from Makorori to Maka-o-Riri among swathe of recommendations in GDC master plan

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Makorori could soon be known by another name after mana whenua indicated a desire to restore its title to one which better reflects the history of the area.

Following discussions with Maka-o-Riri hapū, Gisborne District Council staff are recommending the name be changed with the NZ Geographic Board to Maka-o-Riri.

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

The name change is part of a swathe of recommendations put forward in the Maka-o-Riri Master Plan (formerly Makorori Master Plan) — a non-binding document created over the past two years.

The plan is neither funded nor mandated, but gives direction for managing Maka-o-Riri into the future.

On Thursday, council’s operations committee will vote on the adoption of a revised version of the plan which went out for public consultation in June.

Council staff say the plan is important because the community voiced concern over changes to their special area.

“Maka-o-Riri Beach has never been busier than it is today, and with more activity comes more pressure on the natural environment, particularly the dune system,” the plan reads.

“With our increasing population, and popularity of beach activities such as surfing, fishing, diving, walking and running, we expect this pressure to further increase, prompting us to plan for a sustainable future for Maka-o-Riri.”

Located about 10km east of Gisborne, Maka-o-Riri Beach has a unique ownership make-up including council-owned areas and private land.

The plan identifies surfing as one of the primary recreational activities at the 3.5km beach which is home to eight recognised surf breaks — two of which (The Point and Centres) are identified as being of national significance under The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010.

The beach is also popular for a number of other recreational activities including motorcycle racing, four-wheel driving, walking, horse riding and camping.

But human impact has left a significant mark on the area in the past 100 years, the plan showed, including in the dune system where vegetation clearance, vehicles, stock grazing, rubbish dumping and mowing had occurred.

Dogs had made the dunes an unsafe nesting environment for kororā/little blue penguins which it was believed once called the place home, and many seabirds preferred to only visit because of unsafe nesting conditions.

In response to highlighted concerns, the plan lays out key opportunities for a co-ordinated response.

That includes encouraging the return of wildlife by restricting vehicles on the dunes, re-introducing threatened plant species and formalising the relationship between the council and hapū for the ongoing management of Maka-o-Riri Beach.

It also recommends naming various stopping points along the beach after significant tīpuna and pā sites, as directed by hapū, with signage to share the area’s history.

That includes the historic pā site Pānehu at the beach’s southern entrance, which it says should be formalised.

Other opportunities include reintroducing the native aloe Horokaka as a nod to the area’s history, upgrading visitor facilities, improving car parking, developing a walking connection between Lysnar Reserve and Maka-o-Riri Village and developing recreational spaces such as a destination park.