Recommendation received for mechanical removal of mangroves in Tauranga Harbour

A recommendation to allow mechanical removal of up to 92 hectares of mangroves from the Tauranga Harbour has been given following a consent hearing. Final approval is required by the Minister of Conservation before Environment Bay of Plenty can proceed.

Two independent commissioners were appointed to the hearing, one as an independent commissioner and one as a representative for the Minister of Conservation.

Environment Bay of Plenty intends to use a low ground pressure machine with a mulching unit attached to clear the mangroves. The machine exerts approximately 2psi ground pressure - significantly less than a human footprint.

Environment Bay of Plenty Chairman John Cronin said the mechanical removal is for areas that are already consented for removal by 10 Estuary Care groups across Tauranga Harbour.

“Gaining consent (subject to Ministerial sign off) to remove mangroves by mechanical means is intended as a helping hand for the very hard physical work undertaken by the community,” Chairman Cronin said.

“It will allow the Estuary Care groups more time to focus on maintaining areas free of mangroves, and other estuary restoration activities such as predator control and planting.”

The Minister of Conservation has 20 working days to make a decision. The publicly notified consent was heard on 4 and 5 June following a public submission process, which closed on 28 April. Seventy submissions were received, of which 66 supported the proposal and four were in opposition.

ENDS.

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