Manukau Harbour Restoration Society Open Letter
Submitted by JohnYelverton on 9 February, 2012 - 12:14.
We have agreed to forward to our subscribers the following open letter from the Manukau Harbour Restoration Society which we are sure will be of interest to you all.
Information on upcoming events and encouraging your support by becoming an active participant or member of the Society (at very reasonable cost) is also detailed and encouraged.
A link to the pdf letter is attached, the text of which is as detailed below:
"Hello everyone:
Thank you for your interest in improving the Manukau Harbour and in the Manukau Harbour Restoration Society (MHRS).
As you are aware MHRS was formally organized last winter and the executive committee established. Below are a few, brief updates of the committee's activities including some upcoming events you might like to participate in. We have also included a form at the bottom which we encourage you to use to become a member of MHRS.
The Biannual Waka Ama Portage this Saturday Feb 11, 9am - 5pm:
Join us this Saturday at the Mangere Bridge Waterfront Reserve to celebrate the biannual portage from Okahu Bay to the Manukau Harbour. Be there to watch the waka arrive. Bring your family and enjoy the music, stalls and food throughout the day. MHRS was instrumental in obtaining the resource consent and organizing removal of the mangroves that were blocking the portage route. This was a monumental effort so come and help us celebrate our success.
Updating Auckland Council's Mangrove Policy
MHRS is challenging the difficulty of removing mangroves under Council's current mangrove policy. Waka event organizers were faced with having to pay for a resource consent and then paying for removal of the mangroves. Given the cost and short time frame in which this needed to happen, MHRS wrote the resource consent application for Waka Ama and convinced Council to waive the application fee. Council expedited the application review and gave approval for removal of mangroves in 2 locations - at Railway Lane in Otahuhu and Mangere Bridge Waterfront Reserve where the waka land. MHRS organized volunteers, PD workers and private companies to remove, shred and haul away the mangroves. We have applied for funding from the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board to help cover the cost of equipment rental. The Waiuku Mudlarks gave invaluable advice on how to remove the mangroves from their experiences in Waiuku. While this is a great outcome for the event, MHRS feels Council policy should be more permissive especially for community groups, allowing removal of mangroves in areas where they have not traditionally existed, without requiring payment for resource consent. We would prefer Council remove the mangroves as their growth is the result of years of Council neglect. We are working with Local Boards and Council officers to further our position. We know other community groups wish to remove mangroves in their estuaries and we look forward to passing on our knowledge to assist them.
Raising the Profile of the Harbour: Upcoming Events
Waiuku Rotary Sunset Coast Walk , February 26th
Walk 5km or 10 kms from Waiuku on the tranquil Awhitu peninsula and help raise funds for local Rotary projects. For more information visit
www.rotary.org.nz/function.cfm?ID=221 or email rotary@waiuku.co.nz
Manukau Harbour Foreshore and Bird Walks, March 4th, 8th and 10th.
Come and join us at Ambury Park for walks along the Manukau foreshore during Sea Week. MHRS is organizing these walks during Sea Week to draw attention to the issues facing the harbour and to celebrate the Manukau.
On Sunday morning, March 4th a Council ecologist will lead a walk highlighting the ecology and restoration of the foreshore from Ambury Park to the Wastewater Treatment plant.
On Saturday morning, March 10th, Council's bird expert will lead groups to observe the birds gathering on the Manukau to migrate to the northern hemisphere.
Both walks will start and finish at Ambury Regional Park. MHRS is joining with the Friends of Regional Parks and holding a sausage sizzle at Ambury in conjunction with the walks to raise funds for both organizations. Can you help for an hour at the sausage sizzle? We would love to have you be part of our team. Please contact Bronwen Turner, (09)811.8161 or kiwibonnie@yahoo.com.
On Thursday morning, March 8th a walk along the Weymouth foreshore will be led by a Council Park Ranger. Come and explore this new trail.
More information on the walks will be posted on the Auckland Council Events webpage or email vicepresident@forparks.org.nz.
Kidz Fishing Contest at Cornwallis Wharf: Sunday, March 11th, 11am - 4pm
Bring your children and grandchildren to the annual children's fishing contest at Cornwallis wharf organized by SCOW (Save Cornwallis Old Wharf) and assisted by MHRS. Free entertainment and prizes for children. More information will be available on www.cornwallis.org.nz.
Onehunga Bay Festival, Saturday, March 24th 11am - 4pm
Enjoy the annual event on the Onehunga Bay Reserve celebrating Onehunga. Stalls, food and entertainment for everyone. For more information visit
www.onehunga.net.nz/webapps/site/77902/144244/events/event.html?eventId=320309
Raising the Profile of the Harbour with Local Politicians
Jim Jackson, Chair and members of the committee have been meeting with the 9 Local Boards adjacent to the harbour and the Manukau Harbour Forum (comprised of local board representatives). We have informed them of the creation of MHRS and raised a number of issues such as the mangrove removal policy, lack of boat and recreational access to the harbour and the poor state of wharf facilities at Onehunga.
Submitting on the Draft Auckland Plan
MHRS submitted comments on the Draft Auckland Plan seeking a much higher profile of the Harbour in the plan and a change in Council thinking. We have articulated a vision of a restored Manukau that is a recreational and environmental asset held in the same esteem by Aucklanders as the Waitemata Harbour. Some of our recommendations are long term such as reducing waste going into the harbour while others are short term such as improving public boat ramps and preparing a marine spatial plan. We presented to Council on November 29th, 2011.
Getting MHRS Organized
We have been busy doing the organizational work required to get MHRS up and running such as developing a logo, establishing a bank account and drafting a communications plan. But the most important task now is to increase membership.
Please join - become a member of MHRS now
We need your support and expertise. Our membership dues are low to encourage people to join. We also need your involvement on our subcommittees and volunteering on various projects. Can you help us?
Please fill in the form below and return it with your membership dues as soon as possible.
Thanks so much for your continuing interest.
Jim Jackson,
Chairman
Manukau Harbour Restoration Society
Ph 0274730226
Email jim@jackson.co.nz
PO Box 13-273
Onehunga
Auckland
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Manukau Harbour Restoration Society Membership Application Form
Please return to: MHRS Treasurer
C/- Jackson Electrical Industries Ltd
PO Box 13-273
Auckland
Individual $10 per year $_______
Family $15 per year $_______
Corporate $200 per year $_______
Please make cheques out to Manukau Harbour Restoration Society
Name:
Organization Representing (if applicable):
Postal Address:
Email Address:
Phone: Home______________________ Mobile______________________________
I am interested in helping with these committees: (Please tick all you want to be involved in)
Sea Week: ________________ Communications: ____________________
Membership: ________________ Environment: ____________________
I can do these other things that would be useful to MHRS (eg build websites, volunteer at events, operate equipment, have a boat on the harbour that could be used, make phone calls, raise funds........)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Portage Crossing Festival and Regatta
Submitted by JohnYelverton on 3 February, 2012 - 18:11.
