Protecting a wetland wonder
A renewed push is under way to seek international recognition for Mangarakau Swamp, Whanganui Inlet and Lake Otuhie at the top of the South Island.
The Tasman District Council environment and planning committee on Thursday agreed to renew a 2010 letter of support for the area to be the subject of a Ramsar nomination. It also agreed be a conominator of the application, to be prepared by the Department of Conservation.
Ramsar is the common name for the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, which came into force in 1975 following a treaty signing at Ramsar in Iran during 1971. New Zealand signed in 1976.
In a report on the issue, TDC environmental information manager Rob Smith says DOC wants the council as a co-nominator of the application ‘‘as it would improve the profile of the application to those deciding on the merits of giving the wetland international recognition’’.
Mayor Richard Kempthorne moved the resolution, telling councillors he supported the proposal because Mangarakau Swamp was a ‘‘very special area’’.
Cr Dana Wensley, who seconded the motion, was also keen to see the Ramsar nomination proceed.
‘‘Wetlands are so important, so I’m happy to second.’’
Wensley added that while the report from Smith talked about the obligations of a Ramsar designation, ‘‘there’s also some incredible advantages – it raises the profile of it, there’s tourism advantages, there’s education advantages, there’s just really exciting things happening once you actually get this approved’’.
In his report, Smith says a Ramsar listing is an ‘‘excellent opportunity’’ to elevate the status of the three areas, southwest of Farewell Spit, which is itself a Ramsar site.
‘‘It may also provide an opportunity to focus attention on the efforts of those involved in its current management, enabling access to external funding sources.’’
A Ramsar listing could attract more visitors, increasing economic activity in the area.
‘‘The application and potential nomination puts the Tasman region on the map as showing a level of interest and protection in the future of our wetlands,’’ Smith says.
Friends of Mangarakau Swamp (FMS) has been advocating for the three areas to be designated a Ramsar site for about 10 years.
‘‘[FMS] compiled and presented an application to DOC in 2010, which was reviewed and revised between 2010 and 2012,’’ Smith says. ‘‘It is understood that it was not progressed further at that time, as DOC was working on other applications, and policy around prioritising of sites was still being developed.’’
In July 2010, TDC responded to the initial FMS consultation on the Ramsar proposal, providing a letter of support for the proposal.
DOC has now picked up the lead in the nomination process, in association with FMS.
Designation as a Ramsar site would lead to some specific management, monitoring and reporting requirements. However, it would not introduce any additional regulatory responsibility for the council or obligations on neighbouring landowners.
‘‘The management of the site still comes down to the Tasman Resource Management Plan for Tasman and the existing conservation plans for the DOC land,’’ Smith says. ‘‘A Ramsar designation for the site should be seen as a non-regulatory tool to promote the wise management of the wetlands and to be able to hold them up as something special.’’
Consultation has been undertaken by FMS and/or DOC. Nga¯ti Tama, Te tiawa, Nga¯ti Ra¯rua, Nga¯ti Apa are conditionally supportive of the nomination, providing there is acknowledgement of their responsibilities, role and history, Smith says.
DOC indicates that responses have been received from four of six large-scale farms bordering the proposed Ramsar site, with one in support and three in opposition. Federated Farmers is also opposed to the Ramsar proposal, Smith says.