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Friends of the Hauraki Gulf

The proposed Hākaimangō-Matiatia Marine Reserve offers a range of complex and valuable habitats - and some lovely quiet spots.
Photo Andy Spence.

Reminder January 2022

Please help us with support for the Hākaimangō-Matiatia Marine Reserve Proposal

With the new marine reserve proposal being formally notified in newspapers around the country, we have had some terrific publicity. Our local newspaper, Gulf News ran a positive editorial, penned by editor Liz Waters.

Newsroom ran a story by Matthew Scott, interviewing Friends of the Hauraki Gulf Chair, Mike Lee, concluded with these words: “We need a place where we put nature first. It’s something we care deeply about.”

On Tuesday 25 January Mike Lee chair of the Friends met with Danella Roebeck, Co-Chair of the Ngāti Paoa Trust Board. The meeting was to discuss our marine reserve proposal and other Hauraki Gulf issues including the rāhui and the NPTB's battle against the Kennedy Point marina.

The discussions were very positive and resulted in an agreement to meet on site with the Friends to inspect the proposed marine reserve.

Mrs Roebeck said " we are encouraged that FoHG acknowledge the mana of Ngāti Paoa as tangata whenua of Waiheke, and the proposal aligns with the Ngāti Paoa rāhui that is in place.

The Trust Board looks forward to the site visit and working alongside FoHG to advance their application ”

The Hauraki Gulf forum has invited us to present on the Hākaimangō-Matiatia Marine Reserve proposal at the next of their popular public seminars, on 28 February.

Now the consultation process has begun, please support this important and timely initiative with a positive submission. These contributions can be made on the DOC website, at www.doc.govt.nz/waihekeproposal

The final version of our comprehensive application report ‘the proposal’ written by Mike Lee and Leith Duncan and supported by a long list of contributors, setting out the scientific and cultural basis for the application has been completed and is up on our website where you can readily download it:

https://friendsofhaurakigulf.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Hakaimango-Matiatia-Marine-Reserve.pdf

DOC has printed out the report in hard copy for display at their city office, Bledisloe House in central Auckland, Waiheke public library, the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and the Waiheke Local Board offices.

Hard copies are also available from the Friends of the Hauraki Gulf at a cost of $32 a copy.

A stony coral (Monomyces rubrum) in Owhanake Bay. Photo Shaun Lee.

An ace submission

Shaun Lee has written a top-notch, thoughtful submission, outlining 16 reasons why we should support the Hākaimangō-Matiatia Marine Reserve proposal.

You can view it here on his own impressive blog and on Facebook.

To view the latest version of the application document please see:

https://friendsofhaurakigulf.nz

Read the full proposal here.

Common triplefin and eggs in the proposed marine reserve. Photo Shaun Lee.

Facebook & upgraded website

The Friends of the Hauraki Gulf group has established a Facebook page. Please give us lots of likes.

https://www.facebook.com/TFOTHG

Find out more - an invitation

The Friends of the Hauraki Gulf group would welcome any invitations (of course subject to Covid restrictions) to make an illustrated presentation to any interested community groups.

Please visit our new website for detailed information on the ecological values and the background of this proposal.

Indo-Pacific comb star in the proposed marine reserve area. Photo Shaun Lee.

Please support us!

We will gratefully receive and acknowledge donations to our cause. All the work has been done, and now we need a little more to get our proposal over the line.

Our bank account details are:

Friends of the Hauraki Gulf
Kiwibank, Oneroa, Waiheke Island
38-9014-0667755-01

Newsletter editor Alex Stone. Please contact me at alzzstone@gmail.com
if you would like to contribute to this newsletter.