Projects

Muriwai update

October 2009

Draft Regional Parks Management Plan - Have your say

The ARC is reviewing the way it manages regional parks and wants to know what you think. The draft Regional Parks Management Plan (RPMP) has now been notified and public submissions will close on 23 December 2009.

The RPMP sets out the ‘big picture' for managing regional parkland in the Auckland region. It guides how our parks are managed on a daily basis, and into the future, and covers everything that happens on parks.

In preparing the draft, the ARC has focussed on strengthening its management vision, principles and values, and an increased focus on the importance of biodiversity in our parks. The plan also proposes providing for increased demand for camping, campervans, bach accommodation, horse riding, mountain biking and recreational bike riding across the regional parks network.

Main changes in the draft RPMP 2009

• an extended life from five to ten years, and developed with the next 20-50 years in mind.
• two volumes instead of three and covering 23 regional parks.
• better explains the relationship between conservation versus recreation.
• highlights the importance of the ethics of stewardship and kaitiakitanga.
• increased focus on recreation and use management, including camping, campervans, baches, horse-riding, multi-day trails, mountain biking, designated sites, discretionary and prohibited activities.
• new policies on (for example) the park ranger service, smoke-free parks, art on parks, safety and security, vehicles on beaches and transport.
• strengthened policies on disability access, alcohol-related behaviour, education, interpretation, volunteering and partnerships.

How does the RPMP affect Muriwai Regional Park?

The plan continues to address the effect of erosion and increasing visitor pressures on Muriwai Regional Park, recognising the need to pull the northern car parks back from the foreshore, realign the park road and continue dune restoration.

It also acknowledges the re-siting of the Muriwai Surf Life Saving Club, includes policies on re-orientating and upgrading the park depot and working with Rodney District council to reconfigure the park's Motutara Road intersection.

To read the draft RPMP:

• Online at www.arc.govt.nz/parksplanreview
• At the Muriwai Ranger Station (hard copy)
• On CD-phone the ARC on 09 366 2000 to request a copy
• At all regional park offices and the ARC's Pitt St office
• Public libraries

A consultation guide and submission forms can be downloaded from www.arc.govt.nz/parksplanreview. Submissions must be received by 4.00pm on Wednesday 23 December 2009. Submitters can request to be heard in support of their submission. It is anticipated that the hearings will be held in late February or early March 2010.

Email submissions to parksplan@arc.govt.nz or post to Group Manager Visitor Services and Assets, Auckland Regional Council, Private Bag 92012, Auckland.

For further inquiries please email parksplan@arc.govt.nz or phone Cleo Bergin on 09 366 2000 ext 8647.

Safety on the sands paramount this year

The safety of all beach users, from pedestrians to drivers, and the protection of a fragile eco system will be the subjects of a high profile ARC-led campaign in Muriwai again this year.

Last year you may remember that Van Haresnape joined the Muriwai ARC ranger team to raise the profile of these important safety and protection messages. Van's still here and has this year be joined by Sonya Veldhnizen who has taken on the role as Education Officer.

"Many residents from Muriwai and beach-goers from outside the township, told us that the increased ranger (and also police) presence on the beach last year seemed to have had an effect on driving and biking behaviour on the beach. That was what I wanted to hear. While leaflets and posters can help to encourage people to look after themselves and other users when they are on the beach, we believe face to face contact is really important - going up to someone and talking to them could make all the difference," he says. "It's also crucial that Muriwai residents are watching for any dangerous driving. We want to make sure that bikers and drivers steer well clear of the dunes; as well as putting their lives at risk, they are threatening some of New Zealand's rarest bird species - and we owe it to these birds to protect them."

Van, Sonya and the Police will be out and about all summer-please report any untoward activity or inappropriate behaviour and drop in and say 'hi' to the rangers at any time.

Weed bin is back again

Invasive pest plants (weeds) are starting to flower so be on the lookout for plants such as boneseed, agapanthus, aristea (wild iris), ginger, elaeagnus, climbing asparagus, moth plant and tradescantia. Once again there will be a weed bin outside the Ranger Station from Monday 9 November and we encourage locals to use it to dispose of invasive weeds. This service is a joint initiative between the Auckland Regional Council and Rodney District Council.

If you have problems identifying weeds in your garden or require more information about control options, give us a call at the Ranger Station 09 411 8076 or pop down and grab some information.

A reminder about dogs at Maukatia (Maori Bay)

Rangers would like to remind people that dogs are not permitted at Maukatia (Maori Bay). Our team and local volunteers put a huge amount of effort into controlling mammalian predators in this area to protect the special birds that call Maukatia home.

The action of just one dog can destroy this-dogs have been known to devastate whole Little Blue Penguin colonies and other ground nesting birds in a single night. So help us to protect the bird populations and keep this area special by keeping dogs away.

An interesting visitor

An injured black-browed mollymawk was an unusual sight on Muriwai Beach recently. The bird was spotted, exhausted and weak and with fishing line around its feet by visitors. Rangers removed it from the beach and took it to bird rescue where it is being nursed back to health.

Mollymawk's are in the same family as albatrosses with long narrow wings and a short tail. They are generally oceanic but occasionally seen near land. The NZ black-browed mollymawk breeds only at Campbell Island.

Follow this link for more information on Muriwai Regional Park.