Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve extension

Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve Extension

Dept of Conservation (DoC) Consultation
Submissions due 28 October 2022

DoC is calling for submissions on the marine protection plan for the Hauraki Gulf. The plan includes the extension of the Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve.

You can read DoC’s call for submissions here.

We will discuss the proposed plan at the AGM to help determine how we, as an affected community, respond.

In the meantime, here is some background information

History/Sea Change – after 3 years of consultation, a non-statutory plan to improve the health of the Hauraki Gulf was published in April 2017. The plan, Sea Change, included amongst 180 proposals, a recommendation to extend the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve. The Sea Change plan contained several controversial recommendations, so it was shelved for a few years. Last year, the government decided to move ahead and created an advisory group to implement the plan. Marine reserves implementation is to be handled by DOC, while the Ministry of Fisheries will take care of matters. You can read more details here. Alternatively, Stuff produced an interesting documentary on the state of Hauraki Gulf. Click here to watch it.
Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve Expansion Details –. To read the detailed assessment of ALL proposed Marine Protection Areas (MPAs), go here. This is a 116-page document, and to save you time, click here Hahei Marine Reserve Technical Report for 5 pages related to Hahei. The current plan is to expand the marine reserve about halfway along Hahei Beach, out to Mahurangi Island, and then out across Mercury Bay. An additional 14.6km2 would be included in the reserve. Here is what is proposed

Key issues for Hahei Marine Reserve Expansion e – Here are some key issues for the Hahei Community

1. Hahei Beach Boundary – it is currently proposed that half the length of Hahei Beach is included in the expanded reserve. Do we agree? How will it be signposted Is direct access from the beach important? It is important that we retain the right to launch small boats/kayaks along the whole beach. Should the beach not be included?
2. Other Boundaries – Are there any other comments on other boundaries?
3. Enforcement – There is no point in expanding the reserve unless DOC provides better enforcement.
4. Congestion – Over the busy holiday season, there are often a large number of boats anchored in the current reserve. Should we propose restrictions on the number of boats?

We recognise that many of you have strong views on the expansion and we encourage you to make a submission directly to DoC.
At the AGM, we will discuss the expansion and if there is a consensus, the Hahei Residents and Ratepayers Association may make a submission.