Protection in pipeline for top breaks

The Mecca of surfing in the Far North - the Tauroa Point breaks - and many other Northland surfing spots are poised to receive a measure of protection from future development.

A submission from Mark Shanks and members of the Surfbreak Protection Society to the Northland Regional Council has been heard by a panel of three independent commissioners, who have indicated that they will recommend that the council adopt the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (2010), which protects significant surf breaks around the country.

"What it means is that the council will have to consider the effects on surfing when it comes to any future development around areas like Tauroa Point," Shanks said.

"We were pleased with the way the commissioners listened to us and took on board what we were saying," he added.

Mike 'Malibu' Hamilton of SPS said it is a good outcome for surfing and surfers, which was a result of all the hard work and solid preparation put in.

"The decisions honour the hard work put in by many for the NCPS 2010, but the work is not over. The key now is to continue to build on the relationship with NRC as we move into the Coastal Policy process," Hamilton said.

Shanks said the protection of the internationally renowned Tauroa Point was not in doubt but now a process will begin with the council to identify and map out other surf breaks that deserve protection.

"There are really high-quality breaks like the big-wave break at Kawerua in the Hokianga but also there are several others in the region as well as a number of nursery breaks which are very important for the beginner surfer, like Sandy Bay and Ruakaka Beach," he said.

This has already happened in Taranaki where the Taranaki Regional Council has given explicit recognition to more than 80 surf breaks as high-value natural features.

The Surfing Protection Society was set up in the wake of the environment court decision to allow a marina to be built in Whangamata that could eventually destroy the well known surfing break that the beach is famous for.

"If this national protection policy was in place then the new Whangamata Marina might not have happened so this is important for the future of surfing," Shanks said.

The commissioners have recommended that the council "recognises Policy 16 of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 (NZCPS) regarding protection of the surf breaks ..." particularly to avoid "adverse effects on access to, use and enjoyment of surf breaks of national significance for surfing."