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Signing the Pukekura reserves management plan at a special event at Taiaroa Head yesterday are (from front) Paul Karaitiana, from the Korako Karetai Trust, Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull and Department of Conservation Coastal Otago area manager Robin Thomas. Watching are Hoani Langsbury (far left), from the Otago Peninsula Trust, and Tahu Potiki (far right), representing Te Runanga o Otakou. Photo supplied. |
A management group will soon be formed to ''convert the good
work and intent'' of the Pukekura reserves management plan at
Taiaroa Head ''into action'', Department of Conservation
Coastal Otago manager Robin Thomas says.
The plan was signed by representatives of the Te Runanga o
Otakou, the Karako Karetai Trust, the Dunedin City Council
and Doc in a ceremony at the Royal Albatross Centre
yesterday.
It was an integrated plan covering the reserves at Pukekura
(Taiaroa Head) vested in the city council and Crown land
administered by Doc. It was approved and adopted by the
council and the Otago Conservation Board last year.
Ecological, cultural, historic, public appreciation, tourism
and commercial values were identified by the plan.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said it provided a holistic and
sustainable approach to managing the area, regardless of
ownership boundaries.
''This has been an important process driven by the desire to
protect and enhance the key values of this significant
area.''
Mr Thomas said it was great to be part of a team which had
worked so hard over a long period to achieve the plan.
One underpinning value of the plan stood out - that wildlife
did not recognise borders, fences or artificial constructions
of any nature, he said.
''That is really important, pivotal, in terms of the future
of the headland.''
While the management structure was still to be developed, the
whole process could be a blueprint for Doc as it adopted an
operating model of working with the community, iwi and
business on conservation, Mr Thomas said.
The city council would enable the bringing together of the
joint management body, the structure and function of which
were still to be decided.
- rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz
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