Pippa Coom Councillor Report - Waitematā and Gulf Ward
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Pippa Coom Councillor Report - Waitematā
and Gulf Ward
General update
My Councillor report covers the period from 8 March to 5 April. It has been prepared for the April business
meetings of the Waitematā, Waiheke and Aotea Great Barrier Local Boards.
The purpose of my report is to detail my main activities and to share information with the public and local
boards in my ward regarding governing body decisions, my attendance at events, regional consultations,
media updates and key issues.
Positions
Deputy Chair, Environment and Climate Change
Committee (photo right with the Chair Richard
Hills doing a final shout out to give feedback on
the Annual budget)
Co-Chair, Hauraki Gulf Forum
Member, Auckland City Centre Advisory
Board (ACCAB)
Board Member, LGNZ National Council and
Auckland Zone co-chair
Member, Auckland Domain Committee
Member, Appointments and Performance
Review Committee
Member, Joint Governance Working Party
Member, Climate Political Reference Group
Member, Waste Political Advisory Group
Member, Future Development Strategy steering
group (new this year)
Summary
Governing Body/ Finance Committee
Public consultation on the Annual Budget 2022/23 closed on 28 March.
- As part of the consultation process council held several webinars on Waste and Climate where I
was a panel member.
- I attended the Pasifika Fono, an online forum for Pasifika community members to give feedback.
- I also attended presentations by regional stakeholders.
Planning Committee
Helicopter activity - Resolutions from the Aotea/ Great Barrier, Waiheke and Waitematā and Local
Boards.
- The report due to go to the Planning Committee 30/03 has been deferred until May.
- Cr Darby and I requested that a Helicopter Practice Note regarding the relevant provisions and
considerations of the Auckland Unitary Plan and the Hauraki Gulf Islands be developed by the
Resource Consents team.
Auckland Transport’s parking strategy was endorsed to go out for consultation
- See attachment 2 Good for Auckland parking -:my speaking notes in support).
NPS-UD – The committee endorsed public consultation on the pre-notification engagement. The
timeline is to be confirmed.
Environment and Climate Change Committee
The committee adopted a new Water Strategy for Auckland. The vision of the strategy is “te mauri o te
wai o Tāmaki Makaurau, the life-sustaining capacity of Auckland’s water, is protected and enhanced”.
- The strategy is designed to guide the council group in relation to its responsibilities and
aspirations for water over the next 30 years.
The meeting was also an opportunity to acknowledge the death of young bike rider Levi James and to
have, a heartfelt discussion that brought home the costs of delaying “genuine streets for people”
(Attachment 1 Our Auckland: Auckland Council launches Ngā Tiriti Ngangahau - The Vibrant Streets
Programme).
Half price public transport fares started on 1 April for three months. However, unfortunately the price
cut excludes the Waiheke ferries because the route is not a contracted service within PTOM. I am
supporting the local board in the on-going fight to bring Waiheke in line with PT fares across Auckland.
Local Board
On-line meetings continue including the Waiheke Community Forum, Local Board meetings and all
workshops and committee meetings.
City Centre Safety
Safety in the city centre is an on-going concern. I attended a Friday night “walkabout” with new Acting
Area Commander and the Mayor with Cr Darby of some of the hot spots.
LGNZ
I attended as a member of LGNZ’s National Council, the
Local Government/Central Government Forum Plenary
Session on 1 April chaired by the PM. The theme for this
year’s forum was Working together in a time of major
change.
The Auckland Arts Festival
The festival went ahead with a limited programme due to
current covid restrictions. I was fortunate to see Live
Cinema: The Little Shop of Horrors – Lockdown edition
online at the invite of the festival.
City Centre Resilience
The resilience of the city centre has faced one of its
toughest tests in recent years due to COVID-19, and
efforts are being made by many organisations including
Heart of the City, Britomart, Auckland Arts Festival, NZ
Fashion Museum, Auckland Council and city centre
businesses to bring back its mojo. (Attachment 3: Our
Auckland: City centre dresses up for fashion shoot)
Myers Park
Work will begin in April to update the Myers Park
underpass (Attachment 4 Our Auckland: Myers Park
underpass set to shine; upgrade begins next month) This
project has been a decade in the making so I’m very
excited to see it go ahead.
Hauraki Gulf Forum
The Hauraki Gulf Forum submitted in favour of a complete closure of the Hauraki Gulf's scallop fishery. We
also want to see scallop dredging gone for good. The Minister's decision on 29 March to close the scallop
fisheries is a big step forward but concerningly still leaves open two areas of the Gulf to commercial and
recreational dredging. (Attachment 5: Press release: Partial closure of Hauraki Gulf scallop fishery puts
Hauturu/Little Barrier at risk)
Key decisions from the Committees of the Whole
The minutes for all meetings are available on the Auckland Council website. The following is intended as a
summary only of key decisions.
Environment and Climate Change Committee – 10/03/22
adopted the Auckland Water Strategy
approved the “Too Much Water – A statement of Auckland Council’s current role and direction” as an
accurate representation of council’s current response to the water-related impacts of climate change
approved the Whangaparāoa Pilot Shoreline Adaptation Plan
endorsed the proposed Regional Streets for People projects for management and delivery by Auckland
Transport, on behalf of Auckland Council. (Now named Ngā Tiriti Ngangahau - The Vibrant Streets
Programme see Attachment 1)
approved the Auckland Council submission to the Department of Conservation on the proposed
Hākaimangō-Matiatia marine reserve application, northwest Waiheke Island (subject to minor editorial
changes)
approved the forward work programme as agreed to at the meeting, to October 2022 including a new
item added at my request to develop berm planting guidelines.
Finance and Performance Committee – 17/03/22
received a presentation from Eden Park Trust Board
confirmed the 16 July 2020 approval to dispose of 4 Blomfield Spa, Takapuna as it is not required to be
retained by council for open space or recreational purposes
received the Auckland Council Group and Auckland Council quarterly performance reports for the six
months ended 31 December 2021, noting that the results for the six months ended 31 December 2021,
confirm many of the pressures anticipated in our Recovery Budget.
Council Controlled Organisation Oversight Committee – 22/03/22
received the 2021/2022 second quarter reports of the substantive Council-controlled Organisations and
Ports of Auckland Limited
approved an amendment to the Watercare Services Limited constitution to remove the restriction on
directors serving more than three consecutive terms
received update on the implementation programme for the Council-controlled Organisations Review
agreed to receive a verbal update in relation to the Auckland Unlimited report: Reimagining Tāmaki
Makaurau Auckland: harnessing the region’s potential
Considered the agenda item “Defining Auckland Council's Ownership Objectives for the Ports of
Auckland Limited” as confidential due to risks that publicising it may prejudice or disadvantage council’s
commercial activities
Governing Body – 24/03/22
Accepted a petition from Jessie Stanley relating to Sand Mining from the Pakiri and Mangawhai
Embayment ( See the photo below on behalf of council Fa'anana Efeso Collins and I received the
petition following the meeting).
unanimously supported the Notice of Motion of Councillor Josephine Bartley to support the proposed
private members’ bill: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Harm Minimisation) Amendment Bill (see the photo
below which was taken during the presentation by MP Chlöe Swarbrick).
Agreed to timeline for consultation on Māori representation in local government, noting that feedback
from the engagement with mana whenua and mataawaka, will be reported to the August 2022 meeting
of the Governing Body.
Planning Committee – 31/03/22
endorsed the Draft Auckland Parking Strategy 2022 for public consultation in April 2022 (Attachment 2).
Made a series of decision in response to the government’s National Policy Station Urban Development
(NPS-UD) including:
a. endorsed the further investigation of changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan and the Auckland
District Plan (Hauraki Gulf Islands Section) to address issues arising from the mandatory
removal of parking minimum
b. endorsed the further investigation of changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan to:
i) introduce planning provisions for residential private ways to achieve better quality
outcomes
ii) amend the zone provisions to:
- enable building heights of least six storeys in walkable catchments as required by the Policy
3(c) of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development
- incorporate the Medium Density Residential Standards in the relevant residential zones, as
required by the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters)
Amendment Act 2021
- provide for quality-built environment outcomes in residential areas of Auckland as discussed
in the agenda report.
approved the following policy direction for implementing Policy 3(a) in the NPS-UD relating to the city
centre:
i) Fewer, simpler, more targeted controls
ii) Protecting sunlight and daylight to open spaces
iii) Protecting amenity and retaining the “human scale” of streets
iv) Enabling tall slender towers with space between them to allow sunlight, daylight and views to
permeate the city centre
v) Protecting local and regionally significant views
vi) Protecting the outcomes achieved by the existing city centre precincts
vii) Protecting the relationship between the city centre and the Waitemata Harbour
viii) Protecting historic heritage in the city centre
ix) Promoting climate change resilience.
approved in principle the removal of the general building height and floor area ratio standards in the city
centre, and the application of alternative built form standards in line with the principles set out above.
endorsed “Thriving Town Centres – Guidance for urban regeneration in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland”
(Attachment A of the agenda report) as a guidance document for Eke Panuku.
In confidential the Committee endorsed the Auckland Council’s preliminary response to the NPS UD for
pre-notification engagement. The timeframe for this engagement is not yet confirmed.
Note: After 11 hours the committee was closed with agreement to defer the Auckland Cycling and Micro
mobility Programme Business Case and the report responding to resolutions from the Aotea/Great Barrier,
Waiheke and Waitematā Local Boards regarding concerns about helicopter activity to the next Planning
Committee meeting
City Centre Safety The visibility of crime and anti-social behaviour and the perception of safety are ongoing issues in the city centre brought about by several factors including lockdowns, the emptying out of people (workers, international students etc) with eyes on the street, and emergency accommodation bringing new people into the city centre with no place to go during the day. The City Centre Community Safety Taskforce led by council’s community team has been given additional resourcing and is working on several actions across multiple agencies including Heart of the City, residents, MSD and the Police. At the last meeting on 25 March participants reported the city centre has turned the corner and things are improving. We are likely to see further improvements as university students return from 4 May and restrictions are lifted. Also, on 25 March I attended a Friday night “walkabout” with the Acting Area Commander, the Mayor and Cr Darby of city centre hot spots. What we heard is that police resourcing has ramped up since the end of MIQ and the worst of the outbreak that had a big impact on staffing numbers covering shift work. The Area Commander has introduced beat police who are out in the city centre on foot and in patrol cars. Fort St is one problem area that has been a focus of operations. (Photo above) In response to requests for the return of a city centre police station the Commander explained that the way people now interact with the police and contact the police makes a bricks and mortar police station unnecessary and not a good use of resources. For example, people will use their own phone on the spot rather than run to a police station. Police can now gather evidence and respond in lots of different ways backed up by units in patrol cars and the eagle helicopter. A police station might be a visible way of giving people comfort that the police are actively working on crime, but it doesn’t serve the same purpose as it once did in terms of how police can effectively respond and how the police can be contacted. Following the walkabout, we have followed up on the need to improve the design of the Fort St area through a CPTED review. This is being worked on by Council and Auckland Transport. Te Komititanga, Wynyard Quarter and Vincent Street are areas I have also been focused on following concerns raised by residents. On Vincent St I have secured the placement of physical barriers to deter illegal parking. The rocks have been funded from the city centre targeted rate.
Attachments
1 Our Auckland: Auckland Council launches Ngā Tiriti Ngangahau - The Vibrant
Streets Programme
2 Good for Auckland parking: my speaking notes in support of the AT Parking
Strategy going out for consultation
3 Our Auckland: City centre dresses up for fashion shoot
4 Our Auckland: Myers Park underpass set to shine; upgrade begins next month
5 Press release: Partial closure of Hauraki Gulf scallop fishery puts Hauturu/Little
Barrier at risk
Attachment 1 Auckland Council launches Ngā Tiriti Ngangahau - The Vibrant Streets Programme Our Auckland 15 Mar 2022 Active-mode projects aimed at reducing transport emissions and improving road safety are being rolled out across the region as part of the council’s Ngā Tiriti Ngangahau - The Vibrant Streets Programme. The new $3 million, three-year programme, which will be delivered by Auckland Transport (AT), is one of the climate action initiatives agreed in the council’s 10-year Budget. The seven projects, which were endorsed at the March Environment and Climate Change committee, will be delivered outside of the city centre and will use trials, temporary infrastructure changes, education programmes and other complementary initiatives to encourage uptake of walking, cycling and micro mobility. Environment and Climate Change committee Deputy Chair Councillor Pippa Coom says the programme is a small step forward on our journey to achieving our transport emission reduction and road safety goals. “The projects that have been endorsed as part of the Ngā Tiriti Ngangahau - The Vibrant Streets (previously known as Regional Streets for People) programme are all aimed at making it easier and safer for locals to use alternative methods to get around their neighbourhoods, and encouraging, for example, riding bikes to school instead of driving. “While we know that we need large-scale systemic change if we want to see zero deaths on our roads and dramatically reduce our transport emissions, enabler programmes such as these all help to make up the bigger picture and have the potential to have a massive impact on how we do things in the future. “Getting out of our cars is not only better for the environment but it’s better for our health too, so if we can encourage locals to embrace these projects and try a new way of getting around, it really will be a win-win for their communities.” The projects The endorsed projects seek to benefit the whole Auckland region, from Bayswater in the north to Papakura in the south, Glen Eden in the west and Pakuranga in the east. The projects also range in scale, from installing semi-permanent cycleways to hosting community events that raise awareness of active modes (cycling, scooters and walking), providing access and skills training for e-bikes, to implementing community-run ‘Bike Hubs”. The full list of successful projects can be found on the following page.
Project Name Project Description
A community based non-infrastructure project to support
Puketāpapa: he Taunga Pahikara/ a cycling haven children and families to access current cycling
infrastructure and support services.
To trial and evaluate the use of e-bikes in multiple settings
Mangere e-bike Trial - Stage 2 in Māngere. Providing access, skills training and support to
Māngere residents who are novice e-bike riders.
A Safe Riding Programme that targets tamariki and
Safe Riding Programme - Otara rangatahi to provide safe riding opportunities in Ōtara and
sets them on a path to becoming “bike safe”.
Bringing forward the benefits of this future permanent
Bayswater Avenue Cycleway project by delivering a bi-directional cycleway through the
use of trial and semi-permanent infrastructure.
A new AT-owned concept for community-run Bike Hubs
Building Better Bike Hubs
across the region.
A partnership with Konini School (Glen Eden) and
community to test out aspects of the school transport plan,
Konini School - Safer Streets
including wayfinding options, possible pop-up cycleways
and creating safer crossing points.
Avondale Open Streets Activation will deliver a series of
events, activations and night markets with an 'open streets'
Avondale Open Streets Activation
element by making part of the Avondale town centre
temporarily car-free.
The programme received 19 expressions of interest and each application was evaluated by a panel made
up of representatives from Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and Eke Panuku.
Successful applications were able to demonstrate the project’s potential to reduce emissions and improve
air quality, respond to local enthusiasm, support Māori outcomes, improve safety, be rolled out rapidly and
be scaled up in the future.
Environment and Climate Change Committee Chair Richard Hills says Auckland Council is currently
consulting on a further package of more substantial climate action through the Annual Budget.
“To step up our climate response in Auckland we’ve proposed a Climate Action Targeted Rate that will
enable investment of more than $1 billion in emissions reduction initiatives over the next decade,” says
Richard.
“We want to hear what Aucklanders think about this proposed package which, amongst other things, will
fund the delivery of 79 hydrogen or electric buses and seven low-emission ferries, 35kms of walking
connectivity improvements, the completion of key sections of cycling infrastructure, and the planting of
thousands of native trees across the region.
“Please visit akhaveyoursay.nz/budget before 28 March to have your say.”
Attachment 2
Good for Auckland parking
I’ve spoken in support of good for Auckland parking many times over the last
decade. Most recently when the Auckland Council Planning Committee signed off a
parking discussion document in November (Good for Auckland parking part 1). I was at
it again at the Committee meeting to endorse Auckland Transport’s Parking Strategy
consultation document.
Speaking in support of endorsing the Parking strategy for public consultation (my
notes with some additional links).
This should really be a very straight forward decision to endorse the Parking strategy
going out for further consultation. The strategic direction for the parking strategy has
been well thrashed through workshops and previously endorsed. If doing our job to
establish the policies and principles for planning, supply and managing on street
parking is “virtual signaling” [as claimed by Cr Newman in speaking against the
strategy] then I am here for it.
What is in the strategy is based on solid evidence and lived experienced, but it has of
course made for a few good clickbait headlines because parking is such an emotive topic
and, as we have heard, the key aspects of the strategy have been misrepresented. I must
acknowledge here that AT’s Andrew McGill who has done an excellent job fronting the
media to explain the facts.
I’d like to make a few points chair about the parking strategy and why it is a GOOD thing.
If we get parking management right, we unleash a whole lot of positive outcomes for
land use planning, urban design and the operation of our transport system. Importantly
a best practice parking strategy with road space prioritization is an essential part of our
pathway to meet our emission reduction targets.
Parking is a just a means to an end. This is expressed in the look and feel of the
document and shows how far the strategy has progressed [from earlier versions with
pictures of parked cars].
An evidence-based parking strategy is:
Good for drivers -arterial routes are less congested when not blocked by a few parked cars
Good for mobility of all Aucklanders as we prioritise the most efficient means of moving
around the city
Good for business – promotes turn over and more customers. It improves freight
reliability and deliveries.
Good for communities – that will benefit from improved PT and active transport options
and improved parking on residential streets. It improves equity as wealthier household
benefit the most from free parking and are subsidised by poorer households that drive
less and own fewer cars It is good for the 30% of Aucklanders who don’t or can’t drive including people with
disabilities
What must be acknowledged is the very real need to ensure a just transition for those
who rely on parking and don’t have options at the moment or who have been caught in a
trap of relying on “free” parking. Such as those homeowners who brought a discounted
home with no car storage on the promise or expectation of free on-street
parking. Renters too who get caught out relying on “free” on-street parking that isn’t
guaranteed. Or workers who aren’t connected to PT who have to factor in the cost of
parking. It also needs to be just transitioned for the business owners who currently rely
on short term parking.
There will be drivers who will be forced to adjust as the strategy is rolled out. This
strategy recognizes that by ensuring consultation happens and that adverse impacts will
be taken into account and addressed through comprehensive parking management
plans.
We also know that it is on us to get the planning right so that homes are accessible and
well designed. This work sits outside the strategy but is coming to us under a separate
item on the agenda. [item 11 changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan to deliver better
quality intensification]
It is difficult to take something away that has been perceived as “free”. In having that
conversation with Aucklanders, we have to communicate that there is a high cost to
“free” parking. The costs are just hidden, and drivers are receiving a huge subsidy. That
needs to be quantified and it is good to hear some of the analysis around the cost of
the 900 hectares of public land used for parking – we need to get more of the facts out
there. This also goes to communicating the bigger picture as mentioned by Cr Bartley
and the comments regarding bringing the community along.
I find the arguments to maintain Park and Ride free especially curious when all the
evidence doesn’t support that position. It is inequitable to make access to PT dependent
on the ability to arrive by 7.30am.
This discussion highlights that the strategy is not actually radical as the ability to charge
for Park and Ride has been available to AT since 2015 – it just needs to be
implemented. [it has already been implemented on Waiheke and at Devonport]
My enthusiasm for the parking strategy however is tempered by the fact it proposes a
very slow roll out over 10 years and as I have mentioned is what is already in the current
parking strategy including how we manage parking as the lowest priority on arterials –
this is the default. Voting against this consultation doesn’t make the existing strategy go
away.
We are undertaking a long-drawn-out process and rounds of consultation. All we are
being asked to do today is get the parking strategy out for consultation.
The Committee voted 13: 10 to endorse the strategy for public consultation.Attachment 3 City centre dresses up for fashion shoot Our Auckland 17 Mar 2022 2021 was a big year for the city centre. It saw Quay Street become a tree-lined boulevard, Galway Street’s new street layout give Britomart another stylish edge, and Te Wānanga deliver a new public space suspended above the water. All three of these projects delivered by Auckland Council and Auckland Transport have been short-listed in the 2022 New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA) Awards. The winners will be announced in October. But the resilience of the city centre has faced one of its toughest tests in recent years due to COVID-19, and efforts are being made by many organisations including Heart of the City, Britomart, Auckland Arts Festival, NZ Fashion Museum, Auckland Council and city centre businesses to bring back its mojo. Dust off your glad rags We’ve all had moments in the last two years when there was little motivation to get dressed up, or in some cases to get dressed at all. That go-to Zoom top and trackpants would do. But the New Zealand Fashion Museum wants to celebrate their latest exhibition ‘to fashion’ and provide Aucklanders with an opportunity to dress up and be photographed in your favourite outfit rescued from the back of the wardrobe. Head to Takutai Square at Britomart on Saturday 19 or Sunday 27 March – between 10am and 1pm - and be part of this street style fashion photography experience, supported by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate. Put your best shoe forward, step in front of the lens of professional photographer Denise Baynham and see yourself on a virtual catwalk. Photos will be displayed on the fashion museum’s social media channels.
Councillor Pippa Coom supports this new initiative, bringing vibrancy back to the city centre over the next two weekends. “This is a great opportunity to dress up and enjoy Takutai Square this weekend. It’s one of many small steps we can take to bring people back to the city centre and support businesses who have suffered,” she says. All COVID-19 protocols and safety measures apply. Please wear a mask when you arrive (we won't need to photograph you with one unless that's what you want), keep a one-metre distance between yourself and others and practise good COVID-19 etiquette and hygiene. And while you’re in the heart of the city centre, take time to interact with ‘to fashion’. It’s the fashion museum's 12th-anniversary project re-framing the fashion experience. Hosted at The Pavilions on the Te Ara Tahuhu Walkway at Britomart, poet Tayi Tibble, mental health advocate Sir John Kirwan, and Karangahape Road chronicler Six are among twelve individuals who were asked to fashion their own personal appearance, expressing their identity, their culture, and their truth. Opened last week, the ‘to fashion’ exhibition of life-size portraits by award-winning Samoan/New Zealand photographer Edith Amituanai brings a new fashion conversation to Britomart as part of the Auckland Arts Festival. Immerse yourself in a video portrait of each subject, captured by Robert George and The Raro Dog team, by scanning a QR code. We all fashion our identity through what we choose to wear. Now it’s your turn to dust off your style and step in front of the camera.
Attachment 4 Myers Park underpass set to shine; upgrade begins next month Our Auckland 28 Mar 2022 Auckland Council has announced work will begin in April to upgrade the northern (city) end of the much-loved and historic Myers Park. By the end of summer 2022/23, the underpass connecting the city to the park will be transformed from a carpark to a welcoming public space. The underpass will feature artwork designed by Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei), through partnership with mana whenua, providing a beautiful new entranceway for the park. A new staircase will lead to Queen Street, and new seating, lighting and native planting will make the park an inviting oasis in the city centre. The Myers Park upgrade is part of a wider programme of work happening to revitalise the midtown area and ensure the heart of our city centre is a vibrant place people are drawn to, one that is uniquely Tāmaki Makaurau. This work is informed by the visionary City Centre Masterplan. Waitematā and Gulf ward Councillor Pippa Coom says the park is already a well-loved space within the inner city and the investment by Auckland Council will be appreciated by both residents and visitors alike. “Auckland's historic Myers Park sits at the heart of our city centre, but the underpass has not made access easy for people. “I was on the local board when it was first proposed to upgrade the underpass in time for the Rugby World Cup 2011 fan trail as it provides such an important pedestrian connection between the Aotea precinct and Karangahape Road via Myers Park. “I am delighted to see the upgrade now going ahead which has been made possible through funding from the City Centre Targeted Rate and the Waitematā Local Board,” says Cr Coom.
Downer New Zealand will be delivering this project on behalf of Auckland Council, having recently contributed to the complex Downtown Programme, which saw the transformation of Quay Street, new bus and ferry infrastructure and a new waterfront space called Te Wānanga. While the construction will mean changes to some of the park’s access points, the park will remain open for the public to enjoy throughout construction. A Stakeholder Liaison Manager will be appointed by Downer as a point of contact for the local community. The project will see the completion of Waitematā Local Board’s 2012 Development Plan for the park, says its Chair, Richard Northey. “We are delighted that this project is now happening and will see the completion of the regeneration work we had planned for the park. “With the splash pad and playground already well-loved features of the park, we are looking forward to finishing this work with the transformation of the underpass,” says Richard Northey. To find out more about the Myers Park Underpass Upgrade and the wider programme of work in midtown visit Progress AKL, or contact myersparkunderpass@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to receive regular updates on this project.
Attachment 5 PRESS RELEASE: PARTIAL CLOSURE OF HAURAKI GULF SCALLOP FISHERY PUTS HAUTURU/LITTLE BARRIER AND AOTEA GREAT BARRIER AT RISK 29 March 2022 The Minister for Oceans and Fisheries’ decisions announced today on measures to allow depleted scallop fisheries in Northland and Hauraki Gulf/Coromandel the chance to recover are highly anticipated by the Hauraki Gulf Forum. Northland is now fully closed. But the Hauraki Gulf scallop fishery will only be partially closed. This puts Hauturu/Little Barrier and Aotea Great Barrier at risk. “The decision today by the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to leave open two areas of the Hauraki Gulf, Tīkapa Moana, Te Moananui-ō-Toi to commercial and recreational dredging – one around the west and south of Hauturu-ō-Toi/Little Barrier, and one off the west coast of Aotea Great Barrier – is very concerning” says Forum Co-Chair Pippa Coom. “These are two of our most beautiful islands, with Hauturu one of the most protected places on the planet. It makes no sense for the health of the Gulf, and the health of our communities, to have the seafloor around such treasured whenua being dredged.” “Worse still” says Forum Co-Chair Tangata Whenua Nicola MacDonald “both of the areas the Minister has chosen to leave open to dredging are covered by tikanga rāhui laid down on Waitangi Day this year, and a formal s186a Fisheries Act application for a temporary closure. The decision today diminishes the mana of the iwi, hapū, whānau, communities and all those involved in supporting the rāhui. The Minister should reconsider this aspect of the decision, and/or confirm the temporary closure application.” “More broadly” says Forum Co-Chair Pippa Coom “the Forum welcomes the decisions by the Minister to largely close the Hauraki Gulf scallop fishery. The scallop population in the Hauraki Gulf, Tīkapa Moana, Te Moananui-ō-Toi has collapsed. This necessary action by the Minister will protect around 95% of the Hauraki Gulf from damaging scallop dredging for the immediate future while a solution is found to transition the industry to hand-gathering. This is the beginning of the end for dredging in the Gulf. The Forum will continue to advocate for a completely dredge-free future.” By Hauraki Gulf Forum Co-Chairs Pippa Coom and Nicola MacDonald *Co-Chair Nicola MacDonald declares an interest in this release with respect to her other pōtae as CE of Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust
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