Important Dates in the Kaimai-Mamaku Campaign

Forest and Bird, Volume 18, Issue 2, 1 May 1987, Page 18

Important Dates in the Kaimai-Mamaku Campaign

In 1972 the Forest Service proposed that the eastern slopes of the Mangatotara State Forest and the northeastern part of the Katikati State Forest be made available for clearing and pine planting. Negotiations were quickly under way with N.Z. Forest Products on the Mangatotara Forest. A group of Kaimai farmers first became aware of these proposals and spearheaded the public movement to protect the Kaimai forests. Between 1973 and 1975 public pressure gathered momentum at public meetings with politicians and through a petition signed by more than 15,000 people. Because National Park status was seen as Offering the desired protection, more than 30 local conservation and user groups formed the Kaimai National Park Promotion Council and invited the National Parks and Reserves Authority to inspect the Kaimais. The Authority visited the Kaimais early in 1975 and reported that in the future when regeneration was further advanced the Kaimais would be of National Park quality.

In October 1975 the forest was gazetted a Forest Park and in December an Advisory Committee was appointed. Management plans were produced in 1976 and 1982 and suggestions of salvage logging, kauri thinning and exotic planting were strongly opposed in the 1360 public submissions. Nevertheless these activities proceeded. Easter 1983 Joint Easter Gathering at Tauranga focussed on Kaimai-Ma-maku and featured a dramatic visit to the burnt over forests of Waipari-Kuha-tahi valley leased to N.Z. Forest Products. The company have since agreed to reserve the remaining forests in these valleys. In 1984 the NPRA again visited the Kaimais and recommended that the Kaimai State forests be protected as a National Park or Reserve. Management to that end should not permit any activity which would jeopardise the integrity of the forest. Late 1984 Labour Government elected on a policy pledge to give permanent legal protection to the KaimaiMamaku Forest Park.