Ministry of Works Files – Aotea Harbour

The Ministry of Works and Development was the principal organisation carrying out the physical, engineering and environmental investigations for many government departments before it was disbanded in the 1980s. Consequently, the Ministry of Works files contain a wealth of environmental information about the condition of our harbours, coastlines and waterways, both as they were originally, and as they were modified during settlement. To fully understand these files they need to be read in conjunction with information from other Government Organisations, in order to place the investigations into context. For example the development of the West Coast mobile sand dune problems and the subsequent attempts to stabilise them needs to be studied in conjunction with the Maori Affairs Department and the Department of Lands and Survey files. Both of these departments were involved in financing sand stabilisation projects. Eventually the work of sand dune conservation, (formerly done by the Agriculture Department and then by the Ministry of Works Soil Conservators (Water and Soil Division) after 1958), was passed on to the New Zealand Forest Service; who took control of nearly all exotic forest planting and management together with some erosion control functions where pine forests were involved. From 1958 onwards the Ministry of Works Water and Soil Division was the service provider for NWASCA (National Water and Soil Conservation Authority) and SC&RCC (Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council), which authorised the funding for the many soil conservation activities throughout the country. All projects submitted for funding to the Authority by the various Catchment Authorities were examined by members of the Ministry of Works Water and Soil Division to ensure they were soundly based, before funding was approved. Thus, as the adviser to other government departments and NWASCA, the Ministry of Works played a pivotal role in land development and conservation throughout its existence. These files as a result contain a wealth of historical information about; land development, flood control schemes and soil conservation in New Zealand. Because of their extensive engineering knowledge, the Ministry of Works and Development (MWD) reviewed various engineering structures such as wharf construction, reclamations and coastal aggregate mining licenses for the Marine Department and later the Ministry of Transport. Purpose: See data set abstract below.

File 6/157. Sand Encroachment West Coast. Report covers period 1950 to 1965. The Raglan County Engineer requested afforestation plans for Horea, Raglan and Aotea Harbours. Further requests were contended by farmers for help from Waikaretu, south of Waikato Heads, Waikorea, Raglan (1965). Subsidies were only available for sand stabilisation through the Department of Agriculture. SC & RCC funds were only for farm lots of pines. There is a report by Bestall entitled “Sand dune reclamation 1952-64”. This report describes the process as carried out at Woodhill Forest near Muriwai. The document explains the process as carried out during the 1950s. File 74/30/28 Part 1. Coastal erosion surveys. Report covers period 1974 to 1983. BOPCC file 21/4. The file notes the existence of the Bay of Plenty Coastal Erosion Survey (1977) and the Coromandel Coastal Survey (1981). The storms of July 1978 appear to have started a review of protection works around the coast. The list includes; Kawhia 1953, Ohope 1954 (tropical cyclone), Maketu Domain 1965, Waihi Beach 1968, Ohiwa 1969, Whitianga Esplanade 1969, Whangamata 1970, Kawhia 1970, Whitianga 1970, Waihi Beach 1971, Ohiwa 1972, Aotea 1972, Whitianga 1972, Ohope 1973, Miranda 1975, Waihi 1975, Kawhia community shore 1975, Waihi Estuary 1977, Marakopa Estuary 1974. There was a proposal for the Taranaki Catchment Commission to carry out a coastal survey from Cape Egmont to the Mohakatino estuary in1979. During March 1980 there was storm damage on Pukehina Spit followed by proposals for protection works. In January of 1980 there was a proposal to carryout a coastal survey from Cape Egmont to Paekakariki. The file contains several proposals but no information on any outcomes. 12/1 Harbours and foreshores: Harbour and river works general 1926-1937: July 1930: Regulations for the reclamation of mudflats for agricultural and pastoral purposes passed and gazette May 1930.

Aotea Harbour and Surrounds

1930-1983

This information was gathered by reviewing physical file stored at NZ Archives. Frequency of collection: Irregular.

Gaps in collection: Limited to what is retained in physical file. Data quality: Mixed

Physical files Digital Format: Occasional reports and images scanned and stored by Waikato Regional Council.

None Sensitivity/Confidentiality: None

Data is historic, review of data ongoing.