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Hauraki Gulf Forum

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act (2000)

The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act (HGMPA) was passed 27 February 2000.

The purpose of the HGMP Act

The HGMP Act does not:

  • create new layers of bureaucracy. It should make existing systems more efficient and effective. The Forum is not a management agency for the Park
  • change any statutory functions. The Ministry of Fisheries management of fisheries will remain, as will DOC's responsibilities for reserves, conservation areas and the seabed. Local authority responsibilities for the management of reserves and the Resource Management Act remain unchanged
  • affect private property rights
  • affect present or future claims by Maori to the Waitangi Tribunal or Maori Land Court
  • affect commercial fishing, recreational fishing and customary fishing rights, except that in determining sustainability measures for the Gulf, the Minister of Fisheries will have to take into account the objectives of the Act.

Management of the Hauraki Gulf

By establishing overall objectives for the Gulf, its islands and catchments, the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act achieves integrated management across land and sea. This ensures the effects of urban and rural land use are given proper attention and the life supporting capacity of the Gulf is protected.

The Act provides integrated management of the Gulf across 21 other statutes by requiring that all persons carrying out functions for the Gulf under those Acts must have particular regard to sections 7 and 8 of the HGMPA. There are also more specific requirements relating to sections 7 and 8 in terms of the Resource Management Act, Conservation Act and Fisheries Act.

Section 7 of the HGMPA recognises the national significance of the Hauraki Gulf

  • The interrelationship between the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments and the ability of that interrelationship to sustain the life-supporting capacity of the environment of the Hauraki Gulf and its islands are matters of national significance.
  • The life-supporting capacity of the environment of the Gulf and its islands includes the capacity:
    • to provide for-
      • the historic, traditional, cultural, and spiritual relationship of the tangata whenua of the Gulf with the Gulf and its islands and
      • the social, economic, recreational, and cultural well-being of people and communities:
    • to use the resources of the Gulf by the people and communities of the Gulf and New Zealand for economic activities and recreation
    • to maintain the soil, air, water, and ecosystems of the Gulf.

Section 8 of the HGMPA establishes that the objectives of the management of the Gulf, is islands and catchments are:

  • protection and, where appropriate, the enhancement of the life-supporting capacity of the environment of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments
  • protection and, where appropriate, the enhancement of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments
  • protection and, where appropriate, the enhancement of those natural, historic, and physical resources (including kaimoana) of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments with which tangata whenua have an historic, traditional, cultural, and spiritual relationship
  • protection of the cultural and historic associations of people and communities in and around the Hauraki Gulf with its natural, historic, and physical resources
  • maintenance and, where appropriate, the enhancement of the contribution of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments to the social and economic well-being of the people and communities of the Hauraki Gulf and New Zealand
  • maintenance and, where appropriate, the enhancement of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments, which contribute to the recreation and enjoyment of the Hauraki Gulf for the people and communities of the Hauraki Gulf and New Zealand.

Read the full text of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act

Continue to Hauraki Gulf Marine Park