Huge turnout at hui for the harbour
Professor Simon Thrush, from the Leigh Marine Lab, presenting on the connected ecosystem of the Whangateau Harbour.
Whangateau Hall was full on Saturday 5 October as community members, mana whenua, local environmental groups, scientists and local government came together to discuss the health of the Whangateau Harbour. Held by Whangateau HarbourCare, in partnership with the Leigh Marine Laboratory and Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust, the event kicked off the development of a community-led action plan for the harbour and catchment. Speakers from Ngāti Manuhiri, the Omaha Shorebird Protection Trust, Auckland University, and Auckland Council presented on the significance of the harbour and the pressures it faces.
After lunch, it was the community’s turn - a local knowledge sharing session captured vital insights, observations and ideas. The session was full of energy, and generated heaps of valuable content. It’s clear that the community care deeply about the harbour, and are ready to take action for it together.
Here’s a report back from the session, drawing out the prevalent themes from people’s input.
What do you love about the Whangateau Harbour?
The most common themes from the sharing session include:
A beautiful, safe place – The stunning views, peacefulness and overall beauty of the harbour are mentioned many times as a favourite aspect. The harbour is cherished as a safe, sheltered place to connect with nature, family, friends and community, at all tides.
Bird life – The variety of bird species is deeply valued., including specific mentions of NZ dotterels, royal spoonbills, migratory birds, as well as tūī, kererū, and pīwakawaka (fantail). Observing birdlife creates a connection with nature.
Water quality and clarity – The clear, clean water of the harbour is treasured - in addition to its beauty, it allows for experiences such as seeing marine life and engaging in water activities.
Biodiversity and marine life – Community love the rich biodiversity, including marine life like eagle rays, fish, sprats, and invertebrates. The harbour’s tidal flats, mangroves, and various habitats make it an ecologically diverse environment.
Swimming and other water activities – Recreational activities enabled by the harbour are highly valued, with swimming and kayaking being the most commonly mentioned, followed by paddle boarding and snorkelling.
A full. house at Whangateau Hall.
What are your concerns about the Whangateau Harbour?
Participants’ main concerns include:
Sedimentation and silt runoff – There is significant concern about sediment discharge and buildup, particularly after rain, which leads to the harbour turning brown. This is linked to runoff from riparian areas, development, forestry, and storm events. Many fear this is impacting water quality and the ecological health of the harbour. Related to this, a number of participants were concerned about mangrove proliferation on the foreshore.
Jetskis and motorcraft disturbance – Many people are concerned about the noise, speed, and impact of jetskis and motorboats. They disturb marine life, including fish, contribute to erosion, pose safety risks, and negatively affect the tranquillity of the area.
Loss of biodiversity and marine life – Concerns about biodiversity loss, particularly the decline in cockles, fish populations, and birdlife, are prevalent. There are also mentions of invasive species and threats to native birds from predators like cats.
Human population and development pressures – fertiliser runoff, litter, plastic, sewage, sediment and other pollution from increased development and population / visitor pressure are concerns, contributing to a decline in water quality and the natural environment. Structures on the foreshore (impacting the natural shoreline) are also of concern.
Overfishing and unsustainable practices – Excessive fishing, set netting, and unsustainable harvesting of shellfish (other than cockles and pipi which are under rāhui) are noted, along with concerns about visitors and residents not respecting catch limits and marine regulations – including targeting of undersize fish.
Climate change – Climate change, causing extreme weather events, foreshore erosion and sea level rise, are seen as growing threats to the harbour’s health and stability, including how this might interact with waterways and with closed landfills near the harbour margins.
Community members sharing their ideas to support a healthy harbour.
What is your vision for Whangateau Harbour and what ideas do you have to support that vision?
The most prevalent themes from participants include:
Ecosystem protection and restoration – A common vision is to restore and protect the harbour's ecosystems, with emphasis on improving water quality, reducing sedimentation, and restoring healthy populations of cockles and other marine life. Ideas include riparian planting, rewilding foreshore areas, and reducing sediment and contaminant runoff.
Community engagement and education – Many responses highlight the need for community involvement in protecting the harbour – affirming the intention of the kaupapa to develop a community-led action plan. This includes educating residents and visitors through workshops, local engagement events, and building awareness around environmental issues. There is a strong desire to involve all generations and make education a priority, particularly around marine life and conservation practices.
Enforcement and regulation of marine activities – There are numerous calls to enforce speed limits for motorised watercraft, such as jetskis and boats, including a 5 knot rule across the harbour, and to restrict certain activities (e.g., set netting, fishing in vulnerable areas). The need for legal authority to enforce these regulations is also highlighted, with some advocating for a dedicated harbourmaster or enforcement officers.
Protection of wildlife and biodiversity – Preserving and enhancing the biodiversity of the harbour, especially birdlife, is a key theme. Several suggestions focus on protecting breeding birds, managing predator species (like cats), and preventing human interference in sensitive areas, such as the bird sanctuary during breeding season.
Sustainable land use – A recurring theme is the need for more sustainable land use practices, including reducing/mitigating grazing near the harbour, planting more native trees, and protecting waterways from runoff. Managing the impact of development on the shoreline and catchment area is also a priority.
Reduced human impact – Respondents envision limiting disruptive human activities like jet skiing, reducing plastic and litter, and promoting low-impact recreational activities such as snorkelling and kayaking. Some suggest bans on certain types of fishing and high speed motorcraft activities to protect the harbour's wildlife.
Greater governance and support - A call for stronger governance and coordination at the local and government level, including better funding for conservation and coordination initiatives, consistent monitoring of harbour health, and clearer authority to act in protecting the environment. There is also a desire for increased community responsibility and participation in harbour protection.
Next steps - taking action
There was clear direction from the community at the hui that we must all get “doing” - taking action to support this precious place. Seizing this momentum, Whangateau HarbourCare will be running community and stakeholder workshops to build and implement an action plan for the harbour and its catchment - look out for details to come! If you’d like to get involved, please contact Alicia: whangateaucatchment@gmail.com