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The future of conservation in the Far North (Te Hiku) region is in the spotlight as public submissions on the draft Te Hiku o Te Ika-a-Māui Conservation Management Strategy (the draft Te Hiku CMS) is now open.
The Department of Conservation regional operations director for the Northern North Island Sue Reed-Thomas says this is a significant milestone because it is the first CMS specifically dedicated to caring for, managing and protecting conservation lands and waters in the Te Hiku region.
The draft Te Hiku CMS is the outcome of the four Te Hiku o Te Ika-a-Māui iwi’s Treaty Claims Settlement Acts and is the first in Aotearoa/New Zealand to be co-authored by iwi and DOC.
“Nature in Te Hiku o Te Ika-a-Māui is incredibly special, a unique mix of species and ecosystems, many found nowhere else in Aotearoa New Zealand or anywhere else on the planet. The land holds many stories of our beginnings as a nation, and it’s a place of outstanding natural beauty people want to connect with in different ways.
“Together, we’ve worked to describe how special Te Hiku is and what we think it will take to protect these treasures on the conservation lands and waters referred to in the CMS as Te Korowai lands. People and organisations are invited to have their say on what is important to them, what activities should be allowed on conservation lands and waters, and how important matters like climate change should be recognised,” she says.
The draft Te Hiku CMS covers an area described in Treaty settlements as ‘Te Korowai’, extending from the Hokianga and Rangaunu Harbours northwards to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, including Manawatāwhi (Three Kings Islands).
The strategy sets the priorities and direction for DOC and iwi in the management of Te Korowai lands and waters to deliver over the next ten years, including the care of special places and wildlife. It also outlines permissible recreational and commercial activities such as guiding, vehicle access, hunting, and aviation.
Sue says the CMS has new policies that reflect the emerging issues the region is facing, such as the threat of climate change on whenua and species and the direction of the Treaty Claims Settlement Acts. Together they provide a new pathway for managing Te Korowai lands and waters in the region. This includes:
Climate change: Identifying climate change as a significant challenge, setting approaches to adapt to these challenges, and applying mitigation measures to increase resilience.
Tikanga Māori: Recognising tikanga Māori practices and procedures that connect people to their ancestral lands and waters.
Preference: Identifying circumstances where a reasonable degree of preference should be given to Te Hiku iwi in line with legislation. “Te Hiku region is full of beautiful places and special species, and rich in Māori and European history which means a lot to those who live here, as well as our many visitors. The development of the Te Hiku CMS is a unique opportunity for the public to contribute to how Te Korowai lands and waters will be managed.
“If you are passionate about natural heritage, climate change, historic places, cultural heritage, or if you engage in activities like bird watching, hiking, hunting, mountain biking, kayaking, or any other recreational activities, your input is invaluable.
“By making a submission, you can be part of this groundbreaking process and help shape the future management of these lands and waters,” she says.
Individuals and organisations can submit online through the DOC website.
Submissions can also be emailed to [email protected] or posted to:
Te Hiku CMS Submissions
Department of Conservation
Private Bag 3072
Hamilton 3240
Submissions opened on August 5 and close at 5 pm on October 11, 2024.
