The reality at Kaimaumau
The recent granting of resource management consents to Auckland firm Resin and Wax to extract peat from the Kaimaumau wetlands has caused quite a reaction.
Claims varying from corruption to incompetence have been bandied around social media platforms, without knowledge of the facts that may lead to that conclusion. The reality of the situation is altogether different.
Wetlands are an important part of our environment. They provide a range of ecological services, like filtering runoff that prevents estuarine and harbour sedimentation. The Kaimaumau wetlands were once virtually untouched, but efforts in the 1980s by Kaurex meant that a significant chunk, around 400ha, became irreparably damaged. If you look at that area now it is covered in weeds, especially willow, which are threatening to invade pristine areas.
The Kaimaumau wetlands cover around 4000ha, so the consent area is about 10 per cent of the total. About 100ha will be restored with indigenous vegetation. They will also be taking special measures to minimise any adverse effects on threatened species.
The area in question was vested in Ngai Takoto as part of their Treaty settlement process, and this proposal fits well with their aim of providing a strong economic base for their iwi. The restored land will be able to be used for farming and horticulture, and any ancient kauri logs found in the process won’t be exported to China. They will be kept and used wisely right here in the Far North. All of Ngai Takoto’s undisturbed wetlands will be protected, as will the adjoining DoC wetlands and the scientific reserve.
Maori have long used wetlands for food, plants for weaving, medicines, dyes and places to season timber and store taonga.
Te Korowai, another unique result of the Te Hiku Treaty settlement process, gives opportunities for innovative approaches to protecting our indigenous biodiversity.
Ngai Takoto, with the help of other local iwi and the regional council, already uses this to establish and run an environmental training unit based around protecting our dune lakes, and will no doubt be looking at wetland enhancement as well.
There has been some criticism of the regional council for not holding public hearings and having commissioners hear the evidence before making their decision. I thought this would be the case, and was surprised at the decision. But the fact remains that our staff interpret the RMA through the council’s policy settings, and the only way to change things is through our various plans.
I hope there has been plenty of community feedback from our long-term plan consultation process (which has just closed). If the community has given us some strong feedback on issues like this we will consider it in the forthcoming deliberation process. I will be reading your submissions, considering them, and will bear a weighty responsibility to ensure our new LTP reflects your views.
Full details of both the consent application and decision can be viewed at www.nrc.govt.nz/consentdecisions ■ mikef@nrc.govt.nz
"The area in question was vested in Ngai Takoto as part of their Treaty settlement process, and this proposal fits well with their aim of providing a strong economic base for their iwi."