Rangitaiki River Forum celebrates first year

For immediate release: 27 May 2013
The Rangitaiki River Forum – a partnership between iwi, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Whakatane District Council –celebrated its first anniversary this month.

The Forum held its first meeting in May 2012, and aims to protect and enhance the health and well-being of the Rangitaiki River and its resources to benefit present and future generations. Its first task is to develop the Rangitaiki River Document, which sets out broad principles to achieve this. These will be incorporated into the Bay of Plenty Regional Policy Statement.

The Forum includes representatives of Ngati Whare, Ngati Manawa, Ngati Awa and Tuwharetoa (Bay of Plenty), who collectively share an interest in the Rangitaiki River.

Chairman Bronco Carson said the Forum is working to establish a clearer picture of the state of the Rangitaiki River so the Forum can concentrate its work on targeted areas.

“We will be liaising and engaging with stakeholders and other interest groups such as farmers, forestry, local hapu and iwi. Residents who live alongside the river will also form a key part of our work. We will also be identifying opportunities where we can work collaboratively with other agencies that share an interest in the Rangitāiki River,” he said.

Once the Draft River Document has been fully developed, it will be released for public consultation and a formal submission process early next year.

More information about the Forum and its work is on the Regional Council’s website www.boprc.govt.nz. If you wish to be added to the Forum’s contact database, email rangitaiki@boprc.govt.nz.

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