A Society View

Forest and Bird, Volume 18, Issue 1, 1 February 1987, Page 21

A Society View

Conservation Director

Gerry McSweeney,

S Bas is still controversy at Aotuhia. Any further development depends on public reaction to a management plan long promised for the Aotuhia and Poarangi blocks which lie 70 km to the east of Stratford amidst rugged hill country. Our Taranaki branch sees no sense in further clearance at Aotuhia. It is economic nonsense today to proceed with a scheme planned under unrealistic subsidised farming of the late 1970s/early 80s.The present realistic farming climate should prevent further clearance, particularly when existing cleared land closer to Taranaki population centres and markets has had no fertiliser in two years and is reverting. Equally important, as Peter Winter's article shows, Aotuhia’s shrublands are not a biological wasteland but rather a haven for wildlife. Future shrubland clearance depends on those who will control these natural lands — the Department of Conservation or Landcorp (although one would hope that even the commercially accountable corporation would not undertake clearance at Aotuhia either). Indigenous forest surrounding the farm settlements will go to DoC, with some placed in the new Whanganui National Park. The balance of the blocks covers about 5000 ha, 1100 of which is presently farmed. Preliminary land allocation for the remaining 3900 ha of shrublands, zones 2300 ha for crushing and burning and 1650 ha for erosion control and wildlife purposes. All natural areas should go to DoC, and only the presently farmed lands to Landcorp. Any subsequent division of the shrublands between Landcorp and DoC must take into account: *the results of the DSIR’s shrubland kiwi survey; *the Government’s 1985 revised indigenous forest policy precluding the clearance of seral shrublands regenerating into high forest; *a review of the economic viability of Aotuhia farm development; *the Aotuhia management plan and public comment on this. Until then the politicians on the Government's state owned enterprises Cabinet committee should not pre-empt due process by carving up Aotuhia and handing title over to Landcorp. We will be waitino and watchino