25 February 2010

The chairman of the Hauraki Gulf Forum, John Tregidga, today welcomed the announcement by Minister of Conservation Hon. Kate Wilkinson that new parks and private land will be added to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park to mark its 10th anniversary.

The new additions are Waitakere City Council parks and reserves bordering the Waitemata Harbour and Waiheke Island covenanted land owned by the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society.

"The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is getting bigger and better. I am heartened at how the park is providing a common vision for an extraordinarily diverse range of agencies and communities," says Mr Tregidga.

"We are reaching a critical mass and benefits are being seen around the region as native species are able to colonise restored habitats. Managers and the public are also becoming more aware of the responsibilities for careful and integrated management."

Agencies and community groups will use celebrations on Motutapu Island this Saturday to make other announcements.

Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee, a long time advocate for greater recognition and resourcing for the marine park, describes it as the defining asset for Auckland.

"It is our national park of the sea and a crucial asset in the identity and future for the city and region," says Mr Lee.

"The value of these islands and waters is immeasurable - as wildlife sanctuaries, recreational assets, and as tourist attractions.

"The waters of the Hauraki Gulf need to be better protected from marine pollution and the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park itself needs to be promoted both here at home and around the world."

Mr Lee was one of the founding signatories on the Treasure Islands Accord, committing agencies and park operators to actions that minimise the risk of pest invasions on the islands.

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park 10th Anniversary announcements:

Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society will make new additions to the park. These include the society's Onetangi Reserve on Waiheke Island, which contains the best stands of kauri forest remaining in the inner gulf, and is accessible to the public by a boardwalk. Another reserve at Matiatia is sited near the ferry terminal, where visitors first encounter Waiheke's natural environment. The Waitakere City Council's land includes 55 reserves totalling 200 hectares, with high conservation and recreational value bordering the Waitemata Harbour.

The Motutapu Restoration Trust will outline the next stages of its work to build on the 500,000 trees planted to date and the success of the Department of Conservation's recent pest eradication campaign. The trust's chair Christine Fletcher said brown teal had been observed on ponds on the island in the last few weeks having self-introduced following the removal of predators from Motutapu and Rangitoto. Kakariki (red crowned parakeets), assumedly from Motuihe, have also been found to be breeding on the island this summer. The recently restored Reid homestead will be officially opened, and will cater for special visits and events in conjunction with Fullers in the future.

The Great Barrier Island Charitable Trust launches the first comprehensive state of the environment report for the island, warning that the island way of life will change as a more sustainable economy, built around the island's unique scenic attractions and natural history, develops. Iconic species, such as brown teal and chevron skink, could be vulnerable without intensive pest control in the future. The report has been produced in both an abridged version for the Great Barrier Island community and a full version for purchase by interested parties.

Fullers will run special anniversary discovery cruises to and around gulf islands during March, as well as a offering discounted travel to Tiritiri Matangi, Rangitoto, Waiheke and the Coromandel.

Auckland City Council is providing free guided walks on Waiheke Island on Wednesdays and Sundays through March.

Tourism Auckland will launch a new website dedicated the islands of the Hauraki Gulf in March - www.haurakigulfnz.com

Copies of the Hauraki Gulf Forum's three-part magazine series on the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park will be available at the Motutapu event and will be circulated in the New Zealand Herald on 1, 2 and 3 March.

Auckland Museum and the Auckland Regional Council will host a special day long symposium of speakers exploring new perspectives on the gulf in late March. Information and registration will be available at www.aucklandmuseum.com from 4 March.

The Rotoroa Island Trust has announced plans to turn 82 hectares on Rotoroa Island, east of Waiheke, and owned by the Salvation Army, into a conservation park for the benefit of all New Zealanders. The new park will open in a year's time.