Akaroa Harbour (Dan Rogers) Marine Reserve Application

Submission by Onuku Runanga Incorporated

7 June 2006

Re: Proposed Marine Reserve

Tena Koe,

Ka nunui te mihi ki a koe

Onuku Runanga wish to reiterate their objection to the proposal for a Marine Reserve in Akaroa Harbour (Dan Rogers) as initiated by the Akaroa Harbour Protection Society under Section 5 of the Marine Reserves Act 1971.

 

Statement of Interest

The proposal lies within the takiwa of Onuku Runanga and as such we have a customary food gathering interest in the area through the genealogical inheritance and intergenerational usage of many of its’ people. In addition Onuku Runanga has been leading the process that has resulted in the establishment of the Akaroa Harbour Taiapure under Part IX of the Fisheries Act 1996 in March of this year.

 

Objections

Our objections are as such

 

Availability of Kai Moana

Pollution and over fishing within certain areas of the Harbour have diminished the areas available within our traditional fishing grounds to gather mahinga kai As a result of the degradation of these areas the importance of Dan Rogers area has become even more significant to the people of Ngai Tarewa ki Onuku, who still fish this area.

Akaroa Harbour has “customarily been an area of special significance… as a source of food and for spiritual and cultural reasons” to us as confirmed by the Maori Land Court (MLC) Tribunal 2005 report and recommendations to the Minister of Fisheries. 

We acknowledge that in addition to the area of the proposed Marine Reserve being an “important mahinga kai” area to our people, other sectors of the fishery also have interests in this area that would be unduly affected with the implementation of the proposed Marine Reserve.

Unknown Status

The MLC Tribunal concedes “the success of Taiapure as a conservation measure is unknown” and thus we question again the necessity of this Marine Reserve when a Fisheries Management Tool that has the mechanisms to achieve the desired environmental outcomes already exists and has not yet been given an opportunity to demonstrate it’s ability to ensure “use and preservation are kept in balance in Akaroa Harbour.”

Liability

In light of the gazetting of a taiapure for the balance of Akaroa Harbour the introduction of a marine reserve will severely hinder the ability of the Committee to place protection mechanisms within the harbour when a key part of the harbour has been ‘locked up’ thereby allowing no alternative fishing option should it be necessary to place restrictions on other sections of the harbour

Otherwise be Contrary to the Public Interest

We note with deep concern insinuations that tangata whenua support this application by stating “that Ngai Tahu are positive to the development of Marine Reserves, one condition being “that the location does not interfere negatively with a traditional Maori fishing site.”

Given the MLC Tribunal 2005 report not only confirms that the area of Dan Rogers is a traditional Maori fishing site and of “special significance” to the people of Onuku in particular, they note that the loss of the site through implementation of this Marine Reserve would be a “significant sacrifice” to the people of Onuku. 

Conformation of the proposed area of Dan Rogers Marine Reserve by the MLC as traditional fishing grounds therefore ensures that there is not tribal support for this application as advocated by the applicant under the previous tribal policy stated above nor the current tribal policy adopted in July 2002.

With similar concern to us is Section 3.5 of the application that again gives misleading and untrue unqualified statements. The use of “was” throughout the section implies that there is no longer an associated relationship with the area by the tangata whenua. In addition to which the section on Dan Rogers is not only incorrect but demonstrates the lack of research undertaken by the applicant.

The evidence provided to the MLC 2003 Taiapure Hearing and confirmed in the MLC Tribunal 2005 Report not only highlights the continued relationship of the Tangata Whenua with the area but also the fact that this information was available to the applicant at the time should they have undertaken their research properly.

 

Conclusion

Given the MLC Tribunal 2005 Report concludes, “in the event that it is decided that no marine reserve should be declared at Dan Rogers, then we recommend that the Dan Rogers area is included in the Taiapure.” 

We therefore put to you that with the establishment of a Marine Reserve and a Fisheries Management Tool in the Akaroa area the Dan Rogers Marine Reserve has become unnecessary. Therefore given the points previously raised, the only logical conclusion is to allow the area to come under the gazettal of the Taiapure as it provides an opportunity for “the community of Akaroa Harbour to be actively involved in managing and protecting their harbour” with not only mechanisms to help it to adapt to changeable situations, but more importantly be able to provide the desired environmental outcomes with minimum impact to those who currently utilize the proposed Dan Rogers area

Mauri ora ki a koe

Na

Tim Manawatu

Kaihautu/General Manager

Onuku Runanga