IS THE HAURAKI GULF BEING LOST?
Your ability to use and enjoy the Hauraki Gulf is at risk. 2.2 million
ratepayers could lose their say and councils would be powerless to ensure your ongoing access
to the Hauraki Gulf. This co-governance could impact recreational fishing,
boating and swimming in some beaches and could be a barrier to businesses who
make their livelihood on the Gulf. ( Note Lake Waikaremoana)
The
Hauraki Gulf Forum is a consultative and advocacy body established under the
Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act to advocate for the protection of the
Gulf. It includes Ministerial representatives, and representatives
from iwi and Councils that border the Gulf. The majority of its members are
elected Councillors.
Some members of the Forum are proposing to ask Government to change its
composition to that of 50-50 co-governance with Tangata Whenua and for elected
Councillors to be removed. They are also asking the Government to
give them full autonomy above statute and bylaw for all matters in respect of
the Gulf.
While the Gulf Forum is effective at protecting the Hauraki Gulf, its
governance and composition should not be changed. The Auckland Council is also
consulting on the Regional Park Draft Management Plan which proposes changing
legislation to give authority for Regional Parks, that border the
Gulf to the same Co-governance Forum.!!
Unless we act now, decisions around access to parks owned by the Auckland ratepayers
could also be at risk.
The same members of the Gulf Forum are also proposing
that they be given authority which overrides future decisions by
Parliament and Councils – this is undemocratic and means
that residents and ratepayers will lose all rights of representation.
Some people will say a co-governance model is in the best interest of Gulf
Users. Today the Ureweras and Lake Waikaremoana are under a
co-governance model. This was established with the best intentions
and assurances from Government that access would remain the same. Access
to this state park and publicly owned lake are currently closed to
the public and the Parks a mess! Even Boat owners have been unable to claim
their boats from the Lake they are locked in with no access out!!
We must
now be aware and speak up and send a clear message to the Gulf Forum Members
that their proposal is not acceptable to Auckland ratepayers and users
whose livelihoods depend upon the Gulf. This proposal must not be
adopted!!
We must act now. After the vote it will be too late. Talk to your neighbour
raise conversation and awareness of this undemocratic underhand move that is
being promoted and foisted upon us.
Public
Protest and opposition is necessary.
