COASTAL WORKSHOP THE NEW WAVE

Forest and Bird, Volume 18, Issue 1, 1 February 1987, Page 4

COASTAL WORKSHOP THE NEW WAVE

Society Conservation Officer

by Mark Bellingham

For the first time in 150 years of European government in New Zealand, our coasts may receive proper administration and protection — certainly this is the best chance we have of achieving this.

| "he above theme for Forest and Bird's re5. cent Coastal Workshop in Auckland was also laid down as a challenge to participants who had come from regions as far off as Whangarei and Wellington, and included local Maori, Auckland Regional Authority and Harbour Board representatives, as well as many other concerned conservationists. The morning's field trip started at Tahuna Torea Wildlife Reserve, an urban coastal area nestled in Auckland’s eastern suburbs that was once destined to become a rubbish tip until locals forced a change in plans. We

were accosted by ducks and pukeko, and were impressed by the large number of godwits feeding nearby. The reserve is also a stop-off point on an extensive coastal walkway. From there we travelled up the Tamaki Estuary past thousands of moored boats (it is New Zealand's densest pleasure craft area) to the heart of Auckland's industrial belt. Ecologist Gordon Maxwell met us at the site of the Christmas 1984 ICI chemical fire, when five million litres of chemicals spewed out into the Tamaki Estuary. Gordon’s ecological monitoring has shown the

extraordinary resilience and recovery powers of marine organisms, but a long term heavy metal problem remains. On Manukau Harbour, 80 years of heavy industry have made Mangere Inlet New Zealand’s most polluted estuary. Chemical wastes still leach into the harbour and the largest mangrove area is "‘trapped"’ between the railway tracks at Westfield Railway Station. A coastal field trip would not be complete without a visit to the Mangere sewage treatment plant! We viewed the world’s largest treatment ponds from the safe perspective of the magnificent bush-clad cliffs of Waikowhai at Mt Roskill. But even there, Auckland’s largest kohekohe and kowhai forest is threatened by housing sub-division. The main theme of the speakers and workshops was to develop a new direction for coastal conservation. Mrs Nganeko Minhinnick explained the tragedy of the tangata whenua of the Manukau — how they had been dispossessed of their kai moana and land, and how their culture was being debased by the sewage and industrial wastes which continue to pour into the Tainui foodbowl — the Manukau Harbour. She made a plea for respect of the coast and a recognition of Maori cultural values. Society advocate on coastal issues Gary Taylor and the author echoed this by stating that when local authorities planned for water areas they had to accept an obligation to plan for permanent living systems

— inevitably this would mean restricting commercial developments that caused an adverse impact to these systems. An important catalyst to the day's proceedings was Ken Piddington, DirectorGeneral of Conservation. He noted the coastal environment was part of the heritage of all New Zealanders and supported the feeling of the workshop that under any formula which allowed the coastal estate to be traded, market realism would lead to private and possibly foreign ownership of our

property, presently held in common trust. There was also a fundamental Maori objection to moving any component of the commons from the mana of the Crown, he said. In essence, participants felt positive moves were being made towards coastal conservation, and hopes were high that coastal administrators and all New Zealanders would adopt a more respectful approach to the beautiful and finite resource that is our coastline.

Conservation success on first maritime plan.

The four Auckland Forest and Bird branches have substantially changed the Waitemata Harbour Maritime Plan. It now reflects the conservation values of the harbour. Submissions presented by Gary Taylor, Mark Bellingham and many Society members have made sure that: @ 40% of the Waitemata Harbour now has zoning to protect natural features: @ All mangroves and saltmarshes are protected. @ Important bird feeding areas were added to conservation zones around bird roosts. @ The importance of natural values at Pollen Island were recognised as more important than its value as a container port site. Despite these achievements Forest and Bird will be appealing some aspects of the decision. We are also concerned at the Auckland Harbour Board's approach to maritime planning. The lack of informal public involvement in planning resulted in many hours of tedious hearings. This is an especially important lesson which informal dialogue could have avoided for the forthcoming Manukau Harbour Maritime Plan, where the public have literally been shut out of the planning process. However, prospects could be brighter with newly elected harbour board members and environmentalists Max Purnell and Stella Penny heading the Manukau hearings. yf