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 Recognition of the importance of the
Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is growing. The Hauraki Gulf Forum which brings
together DOC, the Ministry of Fisheries, Te Puni Kokiri, Council, and
Iwi representatives has the driving mandate to promote integrated
management to protect the values of the islands and waters of the
Hauraki Gulf Marine Park (HGMP). The means guarding the Gulf from
impacts – be that the effluent of the 410,000 dairy cows grazing the
Hauraki Plains, to overfishing, to sediment from land development along
the Waitemata seaboard. Regional, district and city councils are tasked
with mitigating threats like pollution and sedimentation at sources well
beyond the park Boundaries.
The HGMP was created in 1967 by an Act of Parliament, and administered
by the then Department of Lands and Survey. However, by the time that
DOC was created in 1986, the old park was disestablished. In 2000, new
legislation, the HG Marine Park Act, prescribed a new way and will to
manage and sustain the life supporting capacity of the Gulf and islands.
The marine park is a unique concept in New Zealand conservation – its
goal is to connect communities living and working in the country’s
largest city to the unique natural and cultural heritage values of the
Hauraki Gulf. The fact that Auckland was ranked fourth-best city in the
world in a recent Quality of Life report reflects the importance of this
connection. Boaties will tell you there isn’t any better cruising in the
world.
Of the 50 or so islands within the HGMP, Great Barrier Island at 28,500
hectares is by far the largest island and has perhaps the greatest
opportunity to showcase its unique biodiversity, natural untamed beauty,
wilderness experiences, and marine environment. With close to 70% of the
island already in the DOC estate and another 1000 hectares of private
land being ecologically restored there is already sown the seed of the
biggest inhabited “Hauraki Gulf Sanctuary”.
The island will be profiled at the 10th Anniversary of the Marine Park
creation in February 2010 with the release of the GBI Trust State of the
Environment report. This comprehensive report is a first for the island
and will provide DOC, ARC, and Auckland City with the most comprehensive
current snapshot of the islands unique values, the threats to these
values, and the pathway to mitigating further loss. A smaller edition
will be sent to all island residents and ratepayers.
Peter Glucklman
Chief Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister “ Science is not
simple – it is a process of reducing uncertainty – it never proves
anything: science disproves things or reduces uncertainty” |
