Post by Kiwi Frontline on Feb 4, 2022 16:28:28 GMT 12
YOUR ABILITY TO USE AND ENJOY THE HAURAKI GULF IS AT RISK.
As you may be aware from the heads-up in our November newsletter – www.democracyaction.org.nz/power_play_underway_over_control_of_the_hauraki_gulf - we believe your ability to freely use and enjoy the Hauraki Gulf is at risk.
This is because the Hauraki Gulf Forum, a consultative and advocacy body established under the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act, is about to vote to ask the Government to remove elected councillors and instead establish a 50-50 co-governance body with members appointed by the government and mana whenua. It is proposed that this new Authority develop its own statutory plans that will trump council policies and central government decision-making for all matters in respect of the Gulf.
If this goes ahead 2.2 million citizens in and around the Hauraki Gulf will lose their say and councils will be powerless to ensure your ongoing access to these waterways. This could impact recreational fishing, boating, and swimming in some beaches and could be a barrier to businesses who make their livelihood on the Gulf.
While the Gulf Forum could be structured to be more effective at protecting the Hauraki Gulf, we believe its governance and composition should not be changed to this proposed model.
At the same time, Auckland Council is consulting on its Regional Parks Draft Management Plan ( tinyurl.com/yczqqfmf ) that proposes changing legislation to give authority for Regional Parks that border the Gulf to the Forum, (see p. 65). This means that this new Authority would also have control of up to 21 of Auckland’s 28 Regional Parks, which are owned by Auckland ratepayers.
Some are saying a co-governance model is in the best interest of the Gulf. Today, Te Urewera, Lake Waikaremoana, and its Great Walk are under a co-governance model. This was established with the best intentions and assurances from Government that access would remain the same. In practice, access to the park, walk and lake has been severely restricted.
Currently, there is very low public awareness about these proposals. To address this, a group of concerned citizens has come together and established the Gulf Users Group. You can learn more at www.gulfusers.org.nz/
The Gulf Users Group urges us to speak up and send a clear message to the Hauraki Gulf Forum members that their proposals are not acceptable to the citizens of the region and others whose livelihoods depend upon the Gulf. I am writing to ask you to consider supporting this campaign.
You can show your support by signing the petition to stop changes to the way the Hauraki Gulf is controlled.
SIGN PETITION HERE > www.gulfusers.org.nz/
Thank you for your support.
Kind regards,
Democracy Action
www.democracyaction.org.nz/
As you may be aware from the heads-up in our November newsletter – www.democracyaction.org.nz/power_play_underway_over_control_of_the_hauraki_gulf - we believe your ability to freely use and enjoy the Hauraki Gulf is at risk.
This is because the Hauraki Gulf Forum, a consultative and advocacy body established under the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act, is about to vote to ask the Government to remove elected councillors and instead establish a 50-50 co-governance body with members appointed by the government and mana whenua. It is proposed that this new Authority develop its own statutory plans that will trump council policies and central government decision-making for all matters in respect of the Gulf.
If this goes ahead 2.2 million citizens in and around the Hauraki Gulf will lose their say and councils will be powerless to ensure your ongoing access to these waterways. This could impact recreational fishing, boating, and swimming in some beaches and could be a barrier to businesses who make their livelihood on the Gulf.
While the Gulf Forum could be structured to be more effective at protecting the Hauraki Gulf, we believe its governance and composition should not be changed to this proposed model.
At the same time, Auckland Council is consulting on its Regional Parks Draft Management Plan ( tinyurl.com/yczqqfmf ) that proposes changing legislation to give authority for Regional Parks that border the Gulf to the Forum, (see p. 65). This means that this new Authority would also have control of up to 21 of Auckland’s 28 Regional Parks, which are owned by Auckland ratepayers.
Some are saying a co-governance model is in the best interest of the Gulf. Today, Te Urewera, Lake Waikaremoana, and its Great Walk are under a co-governance model. This was established with the best intentions and assurances from Government that access would remain the same. In practice, access to the park, walk and lake has been severely restricted.
Currently, there is very low public awareness about these proposals. To address this, a group of concerned citizens has come together and established the Gulf Users Group. You can learn more at www.gulfusers.org.nz/
The Gulf Users Group urges us to speak up and send a clear message to the Hauraki Gulf Forum members that their proposals are not acceptable to the citizens of the region and others whose livelihoods depend upon the Gulf. I am writing to ask you to consider supporting this campaign.
You can show your support by signing the petition to stop changes to the way the Hauraki Gulf is controlled.
SIGN PETITION HERE > www.gulfusers.org.nz/
Thank you for your support.
Kind regards,
Democracy Action
www.democracyaction.org.nz/