Coastal projects

Southern Kaipara Harbour seabed and ecology survey

As part of our ‘state of the environment' monitoring work, a marine ecological survey in the southern Kaipara Harbour took place in 2003 - 2005.

Priority of the southern Kaipara Harbour was given because the results would:

• Fill an important resource inventory information gap
• Be highly relevant to the assessment of proposed Aquaculture Management Areas in the southern Kaipara area.

Survey methods included:

• Remote sensing - aerial images, sonar, underwater video and drop-camera
• Sampling - core sampling of soft sediment ecology and sediment texture, and quadrant sampling for rocky shores.

Samples and survey information were analysed to identify similarities and patterns, with the results providing a broad overview of the marine and animal life in the southern Kaipara Harbour.

Technical report

A technical report of the survey's findings was produced in August 2005.

TP275 - ‘Benthic Marine Habitats and Communities of the southern Kaipara Harbour' describes the study findings in text, image, summary map and table format.

The report provides a summary of the survey results intended for a technical audience with an interest in ecological information.

To supplement the technical report, an interactive CD-Rom has been produced.

Benthic marine habitats and communities of the southern Kaipara interactive CD-Rom

The CD-Rom allows users to access further information such as details of the habitat and biological community encountered, data collected at a sampling site, plants and animals collected in each sample, images and underwater video.

The CD-Rom contains a digital version of the summary report that links to large format versions of the report maps so more detail can be seen. It also provides an interactive map of all the sample sites with links to detailed results.

Copies of the resulting technical report ‘TP275 - Benthic Marine Habitats and Communities of the southern Kaipara Harbour' is available by taking this link.

Alternatively you can receive it as part of the a CD-Rom (for a $5 charge), or as a hard copy (for a $20 charge) by contacting 09 366 2000 or publications@arc.govt.nz

Data for specialists

The CD-Rom packages the survey results and presents them in a form accessible to an average home computer user.
Technical specialists with experience in marine ecology may also be interested in obtaining access to survey data in formats that require specialist programmes or knowledge to manipulate and view, for example Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and statistical analytical packages.

For access to more complex survey data contact us at environment@arc.govt.nz

Ngati Whatua Nga Rima o Kaipara endorsement

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga manu korero o runga nga marae. Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.

The technical report and CD-Rom has the acknowledgement of the resource management portfolio co-trustees Matua Haahi Walker and Jane Sherard managing Te Wahanga Manaakitanga o Te Tai Ao, (Environmental Protection Unit) of Ngati Whatua Nga Rima o Kaipara. This is the mandated collective and participatory voice for the people of nga marae o Southern Kaipara, Reweti, Haranui, Te Kia Ora (Kakanui), Araparera and Puatahi. Membership trustees are nga marae mandated Kaumatua and whanau from Ngati Whatua o South Kaipara who have kinship whakapapa ties to hapu Te Taou, Te Uri o Hau and Ngati Rongo among others.

Ngati Whatua Nga Rima o Kaipara primarily works with Rodney District Council through a Memorandum of Understanding relationship signed on 8 July 2003.

There has been a full and inclusive consultation process in which Auckland Regional Council and NIWA representatives have met kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) with Ngati Whatua Nga Rima trustees and whanau members and provided several progress reports. This has ensured a high level of consultation integrity which should stand this report in good stead.

For more information about this project, contact the coastal team on (09) 366 200 or environment@arc.govt.nz