Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Aotea Conservation Park huge boost for Great Barrier

Aotea Conservation Park huge boost for Great Barrier

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is describing the establishment of the Aotea Conservation Park on Great Barrier Island as a huge boost for the island, particularly in the wake of recent damaging storms.

The establishment of the 12,109 hectare park was announced today (Sunday) by Conservation Minister Nick Smith, and the Mayor was represented at the ceremony on the island by local ward councillor, Mike Lee.

Len Brown says: “The June storms were the worst in memory for many islanders, with the heaviest rain in more than half a century in some places.

Auckland Council has already spent $750,000 on the clean-up, repairing roads and replacing infrastructure, with the total cost likely to be $6-8 million.
I want to thank the people of the island for their resilience and their patience and most of all, their can-do attitude during this process.

The announcement of the conservation park is very timely in the wake of the storm damage.

The park makes up almost 44 percent of the land area of Great Barrier Island and is a similar size to Auckland Council’s regional parks in the Hunua and Waitakere Ranges.

I have no doubt that over time, the establishment of the park will see more people from Auckland, New Zealand and internationally visit Great Barrier Island, and will be a big boost to the island’s tourism industry.”

Waitemata and Gulf Islands Councillor Mike Lee says: “The new park will provide greater protection and showcase one of the greatest areas of kauri forest in northern New Zealand. I and look forward to being back on the island for the formal opening of the park over the summer.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

It proves the commitment of central and local government to the future of the island and is also a great example of the partnership between Auckland Council and the Department of Conservation.

The partnership signed two years ago strengthens the management of open spaces, natural heritage and wild places on the Barrier and across Auckland.

I can think of no better example of that partnership in action than what is happening on Great Barrier Island in the wake of last month’s storms and as we work together towards the creation of this conservation park.”

Ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.