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

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

A Positive Change For Tīkapa Moana, The Hauraki Gulf

WWF-New Zealand is thrilled to finally see the Government take action to revitalize the Gulf – based on Tai Timu Tai Pari/Sea Change - the Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan. We appreciate the hard work put in to get this across the line because there is a great deal to be happy about within this plan, particularly:

The commitment to recognise Māori as Kaitiaki and Rangatira over their resources. WWF is excited there will be two pilots for Ahu Moana to explore mana whenua and community ambitions. We would encourage the Government to also support other communities in the gulf that are already demonstrating this approach.

Using an integrated, mountains to seas approach and a commitment to ecosystem based management. This will help to ensure we address the full range of interactions and threats affecting our marine environment.

A commitment to habitat restoration including a commitment to restore the habitat of rare or endangered species.

An increase in the level of marine protection.

While improved marine protection is always a good thing, WWF is concerned the proposed new protection areas do not go far enough.

“WWF asked for 30% of the Gulf to be placed in effective marine protection areas because that is the bare minimum needed to help restore the health and build the resilience of Tīkapa Moana,” says Oceans Practice Manager Lucy Jacob. “The Government is claiming an increase of protection to 18%, but many of these areas are not full protected areas. This is a great start but if we want to fix the mess we’ve created, we must be more ambitious.”

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.

Therefore, we call on the Government to keep the consultation process open and enable other collaborative solutions to come to the table. Together, we can be more ambitious and help reach the goals established by the Hauraki Gulf Forum: 30% marine protection,1000km2 of shellfish bed and reef restoration, catchment planting, and an end to marine dumping.

“After years of inaction, we are finally seeing real positive action to help repair the damage we have caused in the Hauraki Gulf. By recognising the critical role that mana whenua play, proposing new collaborative ways or working, and showing a commitment to address the threats facing the gulf, this gives us the greatest opportunity for success,” continues Jacob.

WWF is thrilled the Government is taking real, positive, meaningful action to protect Tīkapa Moana, Te Moana Nui a Toi/The Hauraki Gulf. But this is the first step. We look forward to working with iwi, hapū, coastal communities, and the Government to strengthen protections to restore the Hauraki Gulf for future generations.

© Scoop Media

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



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... 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.