Public notice over beach use unclear

The Far North District Council has conceded that public agitation over last week's public notice stating that 90 Mile Beach was to be closed throughout this week could largely be attributed to the wording of the advertisement.

"The major problem has been with the way the public notice was worded and the inference that the beach is going to be closed for six days. This is not and never has been the case," chief executive David Edmunds said.

"Approval was based on the understanding any disruption to people using the beach would only be for a maximum of around 45 minutes and only on one day within the six-day timeslot. It may in fact be for an even shorter period if the filming goes to plan.

"Because there will be high speeds involved there is an obvious danger to the public, and it was to provide an opportunity to properly protect other beach users that the temporary closure notice process was used."

In discussions with the BBC it had been made clear that any disruptions to normal beach use would be minimal and, outside the high-speed sequence, any delays were likely to be only for four or five minutes at the very most. The six-day timeslot was to allow for inclement weather.

"The other area of concern has been an inadequate consultation with Far North iwi. A new format is to be developed in conjunction with iwi leaders in the Far North in a bid to lay Maori consultation issues to rest," Mr Edmunds added.

The intention was to advance the work already occurring between staff and iwi to establish an iwi liaison role that works collaboratively with council and iwi leadership on all issues across the district; to progress the implementation and affect of the Te-Oneroa-a-Tohe Trust Board as soon as possible so there would be an agreed body to discuss, accept or decline opportunities associated with the beach such as the BBC's; to continue a relationship at mayoral level with iwi leaders directly and attend Te Hiku Iwi Leaders' Forums; and to continue to progress and develop a true partnership with iwi and local government through the unitary authority initiative.

"I have talked with Te Hiku iwi leaders and with Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira, who have both endorsed this strategy and agree it is the way forward," Mr Edmunds said.

"In the meantime I would urge those with concerns to put them aside until we have had the opportunity to work this strategy through.

"The BBC project has huge implications in terms of generating a positive image of New Zealand and the Far North. The programme involved goes to 212 countries, and the positive publicity for the district is literally worth millions of dollars.

"We made a genuine mistake in the way the BBC approach was handled. But others have to take some of the blame. What's important is that we all have to work together rather than as individuals and make consultation easier so we can address opportunities like this quickly and professionally.

"It is jurisdictional areas such as this which will hopefully be resolved as part of a discussion process. In fact, it might be a useful tool and a catalyst for focused process improvements if an informal Te Oneroa-a-Tohe board was established immediately, pending the formal formation of the board later this year."