Ministry of Transport Files - Coromandel Harbour

These files from the Ministry of Transport deal mainly with the administrative aspects of structures, reclamations, power, telephone, and pipeline crossings of waterways around the marine foreshore and in navigable rivers and lakes. There is not a lot of environmental information in these files but occasionally there is a copy of a report that deals with the environmental aspects of a structure. In about 1964 the Ministry of Transport (MOT) took over the role of licensing structures on the foreshore from the Marine Department (MD) and employed the Ministry of Works and Development (MWD) as its environmental advisers. Reports from the MWD therefore contain much of the environmental information available in these files. Purpose: This dataset provides a brief discussion of coastal information contained within historical Ministry of Transport files, collected during a review commissioned by Environment Waikato as part of the Coastal Database project. The Ministry of Transport (MoT) was responsible for the administration of structures in the CMA and in navigable rivers and lakes from 1964 to 1997. These files are now held in Environment Waikato’s archives. These files contain useful information on the history and legal status of existing coastal structures.

54/2/380: Oamaru Bay Coromandel 1968. Boat shed slipway. No environmental information. 54/2/459: Boat shed slipway Oamaru Bay Coromandel MOT/MD file 54/9/325 Coromandel County Council 5.8.1. Photographs of typical boatsheds black and white 1969. No environmental information. 54/2/483: Boatshed Slipway Oamaru Bay. No environmental information. 54/2/490: Boatshed Slipway Oamaru Bay. No environmental information. 54/2/289: Boatshed, Slipway Oamaru Bay. Photographs held on file 54/9/325. Latter part of file covers attempt to remove boatsheds from Oamaru Bay. A local boatshed owner with a motel behind the beach wanted the sheds removed so that his guests did not have to see buildings in poor condition while on holiday. No environmental information. 54/16/187: Reclamation Coromandel Harbour 1973. A proposal was discussed to use rubbish as fill to create a 5 acres reclamation. This site is also covered in the marine structures files. The final aim was to make a sports facility and boat ramp. 54.16/0/5: Reclamations, Coromandel Peninsula 1982. Reclamation - corner of Long Bay and Wyuna Bay Coromandel Harbour. TCDC file V3/5. Wildlife Service Report file WIL 22/6/7. Report titled: Report on the Coromandel west coast harbours and estuaries. Based on a survey carried out in November 1981. Lists species observed and comments on habitats. 54/24/86/59: Cables Mc Gregor Bay Coromandel (Volume 1 1975). Proposal to link Long Bay and Wyuna Bay by a cable located just above low water. Had to be laid clear of oyster bed. Survey date in field book 468. 54/44/463: Marine farming, Motukopake Island Coromandel Harbour 1981. Nothing of environmental interest. However the local fishing and boating clubs put in objections to marine farming proposals. These people were mainly from Auckland, and concern focussed on possible effects on recreation. Suggestions made by these boat users suggested that marine farms should be located in unpopulated parts of the coast. This was the main objection to all proposed marine farms in Coromandel Harbour. 54/44/370: Marine Farm, Whanganui Island, Coromandel 1979. Refer MAF 7/6/13. A.D. James proposed a farm near Tawhiti Point Whanganui Island. The Minister declined the application following pressure from the Auckland Yacht Club. A change of government meant a change of Minister. MAF officials opposed the declining of the license and approached new Minister who approved the farm. 54/44/250: Marine farming. D. James 1979. MAF file 7/6/4. Main objectors were the Auckland boat users concerned about impacts on holiday use of the area. One objection was from a consultant for a mussel farm on Waiheke Island – likely linked to competition. 54/44/249: Marine Farming D.G.James 1979 Nothing of interest.(MAF file 54/5/658) 54/44/188: Marine Farming Bronlund Twin Beach Bay Wanganui Island 1978. (MAF file 54/5/568) Most of the objections to this proposed farm were from Auckland (same people objecting to all proposals). There is an environmental impact assessment for four mussel farms in this file. Work done by MAF. This report provides an in-depth objective view of mussel and oyster farming around Coromandel and Te Kouma harbours. Report recommends that marine farming be permitted but not around Motutapere Island, which is a reserve. The report also suggests that a full-scale planning exercise be carried out to plan suitable places for future farms. Despite the favourable MAF review the Bronlund group withdrew application. Note the Marine Farming Act passed 1971 but it seems that it took nearly a decade for the Coromandel Harbour site to be seen as suitable for marine farming. 54/44/156: Marine Farms Nicholson and Dolimore 1978. (MAF file 54/5/554) Much of this file reiterates what has been stated above. However the basic objection is the possible proliferation of marine farms in the area. The outcome of the hearing is not recorded in the file. 54/44/142: Marine Farms Holman 1978. (MAF file 54/5/549) Same objectors and Holman withdrew application. 54/44/118: Marine Farms Victoria Fisheries Ltd 1978. (MAF file 54/5/527) Nothing of interest. 54/44/73:Marine Farms Bruce Wells 1970 Nothing of interest. 54/44/0: Marine Farms Register of leases 1986. This file covers the name, location, MAF number and file number of current license holders in the 1980s and the year is which the license was granted. 54/44/496: Marine Farming, Black, Waimate Island Coromandel 1981. TCDC file K8/5/13. Application withdrawn. 54/44/497: Marine Farm, Black, Motukopake Island Coromandel 1981. MAF file 7/6/19, TCDC file K8/30. File notes that a number of leases that had been approved had not been developed. 54/44/673:Marine Farms, Jackson, Waimate Island Coromandel 1982. Moved to the west of long Bay and to the north of the Hautapu channel. Approved. Nothing environmental in these files. 54/44/675: Marine Farms, Bronlund, Motukakarikitahi Bay (Rat Island) 1983. Approved. 54/44/676: Marine Farms Coromandel 1982 Withdrawn 54/44/677: Marine Farms, Nichols, Motukakarikitahi Island. MAF file 7/6/42,44. 54/44/682: Marine Farms, Bronlund, Motukakarikitahi Island 1982. Volume 2, Application withdrawn. 54/44/683: Marine Farms, Nichols Trust, Moturua Island (Rabbit Island) 1982. TCDC file K8/5/23 MAF file 7/6/44. 54/44/684: Marine Farms, Nichols Trust. Nothing further. 54/44/686: Marine Farms, Holman, Motukakarikitahi Island 1982. Application approved. 54/44/687: Marine Farming, Bio Marine, Southern point of Coromandel Harbour, 1982. South of Esk Point. There is reference to some very strong feelings about the Hauraki Gulf. The file gives the impression that there were other contentious issues in the Hauraki Gulf at this time (concerns not detailed). 54/44/792: Marine Farm, Watson, Waimate Island 1983. Nothing further. 54/44/794: Marine Farm, Searle, Spatcatching long line 1983. A communal area was set up for placing spat catching long lines by each farm operator. This area was located in Coromandel Harbour. 54/44/690: Marine Farms, Bull Motukopake Island 1982. TCDC expressed concerns throughout the early 1980s about the fact that each farm applied for an area of coastal water but did not mention a shore based facility for processing shellfish. TCDC wanted licenses limited to those who had a shore based processing site approved. 54/44/691: Marine Farms, Shearer, North side Waimate Island 1982 (two copies). Withdrawn. 54/44/697: Marine Farms, Bull, Motukopake Island, east side 1982.. Nothing new. 54/44/698: Marine Farms, Bull, Motukopake Island, west side 1982. Nothing new. 54/44/715: Marine Farms, Stone, Hautapu Channel 1982. 54/44/718: Marine farms, Wyborn, Esk Point Coromandel 1982. 54/44/722: Marine Farms, Nichols, Motukakarikitahi Island 1983. Withdrawn. 54/44/727: Marine Farms, Bull, Spatcatching line 1983. 54/44/738: Marine Farm, Bronlund, Mussel long line in MAF area, Esk Point. 54/44/742: Marine Farm, Wyllie, Hautapu Channel 1983. 54/44/745: Marine Farm, Nichols Truct, Spatcatching long lines 1983. 54/44/746: Marine Farm, Holman. Spatcatching long line 1983. 54/44/747: Marine Farm, Clifton, Motukopake Island 1982. 54/44/751: Marine Farm, Bull, Mussell spat collection 1983. 54/44/752: Marine Farm, Wyllie, Spatcatching, communal area 1983. 54/44/753:Marine Farm, Bull, South east corner Coromandel Harbour 1983. 54/44/767: Marine Farm, Watson, Hautapu Channel 1983. 54/44/768:Marine Farm, Cardno, Hautapu Channel 1983. 54/44/771: Marine Farm, Tikapa Moana Fisheries, Manaia Harbour 1983. 54/44/781: Marine Farm, Jackson, north of Waimate Island 1983. 54/44/790: Marine Farm Jennings, Moturua Island 1983. 54/44/791:Marine Farm, Clifton Spatcatching 1983. 54/44/805: Marine Farm, Sowerby, Hautapu Channel 1984. 54/44/807: Marine Farm, Cunningham, Hautapu Channel 1984. 54/44/843: Marine Farm Mc Intosh, Tataweka Island 1984. Note the later in time of the application, the fewer objections received to the application. The southern area of Coromandel Harbour is also not so densely populated as further north, hence fewer objections. 54/44/876: Marine Farms, Coromandel Marine farms Ltd., Coromandel Harbour 1988. Withdrawn. 54/44/880: Marine Farms, Wyborn Farms Ltd., Moturua Island 1985. 54/44/890: Marine Farms, Bronlund, Motukakarikitahi Island 1985 MAF file 7/6/67. Refer also 54/44/901 and 54/44/920. These are three adjacent sites. 54/44/901: Marine Farms, James, Motukakarikitahi Island 1985. Refer also 54/44/890 and 54/44/920. These are three adjacent sites. 54/44/920: Marine Farms, Mellow, Motukakarikitahi Island 1985. Refer also 54/44/901 and 54/44/890. These are three adjacent sites. 54/49/2: Marine Farms, Coromandel Marine Farm Study 1981. The file contains an envelope with two maps in it covering the west coast of the Coromandel Peninsula from Wilson’s Bay to Otautu Bay showing those areas considered suitable for marine farming and also those areas where marine farming should not take place. A report “Report on marine farming planning study Wilson’s Bay to Otautu Bay west coast, Coromandel Peninsula” is contained in the file. 54/49/15: Marine Farms, James, Esk Point, Coromandel 1982. 54/49/18:Marine Farms, Wyborn, Te Kouma Harbour. File empty. 54/49/22:Marine Farm, Wyborn, experimental long line Waimate island. Trial of deep water farming of oysters. 54/49/25: Marine Farming, Searle, Motukopake Island 1980. 54/49/26: Marine Farming, Holman, Motukakarikitahi Island 1983. 54/49/27: Marine Farming, Clifton, Motukopake Island 1983. 54/49/28: Marine Farm, Black, Motukopake Island 1983. 54/49/29: Marine Farm, Bull, Motukopake Island 1982. 54/49/32: Marine Farm, Stone, Hautapu Channel 1982. 54/1/20: Whangapoua Wharf. Includes plans for extending Coromandel wharf. There is some Ministry of Works and Development bathymetry dated 1960. Paeroa office plan no 3697, 2582 (HDO 9062). Reduced levels are in terms of 100 foot at the top of the staff gauge on the wharf. The Marine Dept file no. is M4/215 (1960-64). Dredging of the channel to the wharf proved futile and the channel filled with fine material quite rapidly. Volumes not specified. 54/1/32: Wharf, Coromandel. Order in Council licensing Coromandel Wharf. To get better use of the wharf the Strongman Shipping Company proposed to dredge surface layer of sand and shell off the harbour floor to let the boats settle in the soft mud below. More comments on dredging Coromandel wharf channel. 54/1/84: Coromandel County Council Mapauriki Stream Whangapoua Harbour. Nothing of interest. 54/1/359: Coromandel Harbour Boat ramp. Ramp situated near Te Kouma Bay road. Has little effect on adjacent bay sediments. 54/1/610: J. A. Barry Jetty Coromandel Harbour. MWD file 7/8. Mentions photographs of jetty structures. These were found on another file. 54/1/515: H.S. Donker Jetty Coromandel Harbour. MWD inspector found Donker’s vessel attached to a Jetty and assumed that the structure had been constructed even while seeking permission to build. The reality is explained in another file that fishermen at Coromandel tie up to any free jetty as space is short and that Inspectors should not think that the boat belongs to that particular structure. 54/1/403: Jetty Coromandel harbour J.N. De Cassas TCDC file V/2/1 (1977).Photographs of the jetties on the wharf mentioned above. Thought to be built before approval because boat tied up at a jetty was assumed ownership of jetty. 54/1/516: Jetty Coromandel Harbour Nothing of interest. 54/1/636: Coromandel Harbour ramp and cleaning grid. File start 1979. TCDC V3/5 and D 15. Report on Coromandel mooring areas. The report commences with a summary of boat requirements together with the conditions in Coromandel harbour. Concludes with recommendations for the future. Finally cleaning grid was built by the Te Kouma boat ramp 1980. 54/1/624: Jetty Coromandel Harbour see HO file 54/3/1143 MWD Paeroa 7/8 and Hamilton 13/108 TCDC file V5/5. Jetty built but no details. 54/1/626: Coromandel Harbour fish exporters retaining wall. Lands and Survey file MTB96 Company reclaimed part of foreshore without permission and did not seek MOT approval. Company claimed that they were just repairing an existing structure so no reclamation or MOT approval needed. TCDC (file V3) then organised for formal MOT approval. Outcome unknown. Suggests that there areas around the sheltered harbour where erosion could be slow but continuous. 54/2/61: Coromandel Harbour slipway site. Mr Heard to erect slipway on south side Coromandel Harbour (1949) Public Works file PW27/79 Possibly a HO number as PW 27 seems to have been a base coastal file for Public Works Dept. 54/1/761: Jetty Coromandel. TCDC file V5. This file demonstrates some of the recording problems when field inspections are carried out. The application for a jetty is sent to MOT who asked MWD to check out the site and check out the structural integrity of the plans supplied. The inspecting engineer goes to the site and finds the owners fishing boat tied up to a wharf and assumes that he has built the structure already. The reality was that the fishing industry in Coromandel was expanding rapidly and there were too few wharf for the number of fishing boats so the fishermen had an arrangement that they would tie up at any available jetty to load and unload. The inspectors mistook this berthing to indicate ownership and wrote to MOT complaining that the fishermen were not complying with the regulations. A fisherman, C. J. Heath explained what was going on so that the inspectors did not prosecute the supposed offenders. No environmental information. 54/1/726: Jetty Coromandel wharf. TCDC file V3/5 and V5. No environmental information. 54/2/199: Slipway Long Bay Road Coromandel 1963. No environmental information. 54/2/223: Slipway Coromandel Harbour. Starts 1965. No environmental information. 54/2/225: Slipway Coromandel Harbour 1965. No environmental information. 54/2/250: Slipway Coromandel 1965. No environmental information. 54/2/257: Slipway Coromandel 1966. No environmental information. 54/2/262: Slipway Coromandel Harbour 1966. No environmental information. 54/2/852: Jetty Coromandel. TCDC V3/5 (1981). 54/2/848: Bridge Coromandel. No environmental information. 54/2/590: Jetty Coromandel Harbour. No environmental information. 54/2/600: Jetty Coromandel Harbour 1973. Seems to be a boom year for the fishing industry hence the large number of applications for jetties at Coromandel. No environmental information. 54/2/601: Jetty Coromandel Harbour 1973. No environmental information. 54/2/602: Jetty Coromandel Harbour 1973. No environmental information. 54/2/603:Jetty Coromandel Harbour 1973. No environmental information. 54/2/653: Jetty Coromandel Harbour. No environmental information. 54/3/1143: Jetty Coromandel Harbour 1979. MWD Paeroa file 7/8. No environmental information. This is one of the few files that suggests a follow-up inspection after two years. However there is no information to indicate that the follow-up inspection took place. 54/3/1012: Jetty Coromandel harbour. No environmental information. 54/3/151: Jetties Coromandel County Council. Vol. 2 1940-1973. Coromandel file 15/2. There is and extensive review of options for a wharf at Coromandel (1940) which refers to “numerous” historical investigations. Perhaps a visit to Coromandel County files or the local museum may locate these files. There is no comment on the Chilean earthquakes as it affected Coromandel. No environmental information. 54/4/348: Reclamation Coromandel Harbour 1973. MOT file 46/0/16 Lands and Survey 8/160 MWD 13/108 and Paeroa 21/1/6.Nature Conservation Council 10/4/74. After getting approval for the reclamation part of the area became a rubbish dump and was complained about by the public. No environmental information. 54/4/138: Reclamation Wharf Road Coromandel 1967. No environmental information. 54/8/99: Boat ramp Long Bay Coromandel 1972. Ramp had been built some years before. No other information. 54/6/6 : Illegal structures, Coromandel. No environmental information. 54/4/447: Illegal reclamation Long Bay Road Coromandel. Dispute between two families about beach access and reclamation and a wharf on Long Bay Road. No environmental information. 54/14/7/56: Sand and shingle Whangarahi Stream Coromandel township July 1980. TCDC file M13/5. Shingle being deposited in the tidal section of the stream was causing flooding in the lower sections of the town. TCDC want regular removal of material to maintain a clear waterway. There had been a long term policy for removal of material but this was stopped in the early 1970’s. MOT licensed TCDC to take shingle to prevent flooding. This file needs to be read with another which details a complaint by a farmer that the shingle removal was causing erosion to his property. (File 54/14/7/54) 54/14/7/54: Fureys Creek and Papa Aroha 1976. Papa Aroha beach worked by B Little who applied for 30 yd3 per year. However the beach was in an eroded state and the application was declined. Fureys Creek is a tributary of the Whangarahi Stream that flows through Coromandel township. It had been mined by a local contractor to keep the waterway clear for flood flows. Mr Little was the contractor and applied to MOT for a license but it was not applicable as the stream bed at this point is above the high water mark. He was told to apply through TCDC and the Hauraki Catchment Board for the approval to continue mining. 54/60/5 Foreshores Bye Laws and amendments, Thames Coromandel District Council 1977. 54/8/101: Ramp and breakwater Wyuna Bay, Coromandel1973. Proposed ramp to replace eroded beach which had suffered from prolonged south westerly waves. 54/2/232: Boatshed and slipway Wyuna Bay Coromandel 1965. No environmental information. 54/2/233: Slipway Ruffins Bay Coromandel. No environmental information. 54/2/649: Slipway Wyuna Bay 1974. No environmental information. 54/44/613: Marine Farm, James, Coromande 1981. MAF file 7/6/7/Two copies of file. 54/44/672: Marine Farms, Watson, Waimate Island 1982. Withdrawn. 54/27/95: Cable Long Bay to Mc Gregor Bay 1975. Refer 54/27/86/59. 54/44/462: Marine farm application 1980 withdrawn. Nothing of environmental interest. 54/44/370: Marine farm Whanganui Island 54/44/550: Marine Farm, Clifton, Moturuhi Island 1981 MAF file 9/5 TCDC file K8/5/17. 54/44/701:Marine Farms, Haley, Cable Bay 1982. 54/44/856: Marine Farms, Mc Intosh, long line spat collection. 54/13/2: Erosion at Coromandel. Long Bay Road unauthorised reclamation. Paeroa file 22/1/1 and Hamilton 96/110,000. Reclamation on Long Bay Road. The file seems mainly to be about the marine Department’s loss of records and their attempt to get “official” records straight at Sinclair’s (owner) cost. This together with a couple of other land owners who wanted to get Sinclair moved on so that they could get direct access to the sea. 54/17/8: Roads Coromandel Peninsula, volume 1 1930. 1936, Coromandel Harbour. Roads to take 2 or 3 small sections of the harbour.

Coromandel Harbour and surrounding area.

1960 - 1984

Frequency of collection: Infrequent

Data quality: Variable Completeness: Many files and pieces of information from the files are missing. Many engineer's reports are missing from the files held by Environment Waikato.

Physical files

Coastal management background information.

Freely available to public in EW archives. Sensitivity/Confidentiality: No confidentiality - public information

Files closed. Include a note where this record continues after end date of file where possible – e.g. Dept of Conservation files. These files have been continued where appropriate but have been amalgamated and given a new file number by DOC making sourcing more recent information difficult.

Earlier information is held on the Marine Department (MD) files which are held by Archives Auckland or Wellington. The file reference number will improve the chances of finding earlier files. Additional comments: Jetties and Wharves There were two types of jetties and wharves; those built for catching Whitebait, and the fishing boat jetty. As the local fishing industry developed, there was a steady increase in requests for licenses for jetties to load and unload fishing boats. Records in the files indicate that there was either a shortage of hardwood for jetty piles or the locals preferred to rely on piles made from Manuka or Kanuka. This is especially noticeable of the piles used for fishing boat jetties. As the fishing fleet grew so did the demand for fish processing facilities on shore. The increased number of requests for jetties for commercial fishing probably reflects the increased government investment in the fishing industry in the 1960s and 1970s. Boat sheds Boat sheds that housed a launch or dinghy between uses were common up to the 1960s. In the 1970s and onwards there are few requests to license a boatshed. This is probably because of the increased use of light materials for boat construction such as fibreglass and aluminium and the development of the boat and trailer combination. Thus boaties did not have a boat at one location but were mobile and could go to a variety of destinations both fresh and salt water. This added mobility probably also reflects better roading and better vehicles. Boat ramps These appear associated with two activities. Commercial fishing or the storage of a boat used occasionally. As roads improved and boat-building materials became lighter the trailed boat became more popular. This in turn put pressure on local County Councils to either build boat ramps or license boat ramps to be built by for fishing or Boat clubs to access the water. After a burst of activity in the 1960’s and 1970’s many clubs were wound up leaving the structure the responsibility of the local Council. Slipways Slipway installation commenced from the earliest of settlements because most of the early communities were serviced by boat and needed repair and maintenance facilities locally. There were also some slipways constructed by local boating and sailing clubs. Boat Clubs. There seems to have been an upsurge of boat clubs in the late 1960’s early 1970’s but by the end of the decade wanted to transfer their ramp assets to the local county. Falling membership could not sustain the costs of licenses and maintenance for buildings and ramps. Bridge Construction The notification of many new bridges built on the roads of the Coromandel indicates the slow but steady improvement of roading on the Coromandel Peninsula. There are a series of files that examine bridges as they might affect a waterway for navigation. This demonstrates the importance placed on sea compared to road transport. The second aspect of the bridge construction is the development of better roads and therefore the less importance of the coastal trade to the development of the country. Note that up to the 1970s, fertiliser was barged to Whitianga but after that time it was more common to truck the material in. Sand and Shingle Mining. The winning of aggregate from the foreshore is noticeable as an early occupation of coastal freighters, particularly scows. Beach sediments did not need crushing for the most part and were therefore in high demand as cheap roading material, especially for the growing Auckland market. Where shingle was not readily available, shell material was used for a road surfacing material. Most of the files stored at Environment Waikato start in the 1960s or later and refer to earlier files about the same beaches. Therefore in Archives in either Auckland or Wellington there are probably earlier files outlining activities prior to 1960. There is also a reference to a previous ban on sand mining along the west coast of the Coromandel prior to 1960. This may refer to changes that were enacted after the Rabone Report of 1950. The sand mining applications also highlight the importance of coastal traffic right up to the 1960s and 1970s. Fertiliser was shipped to Whitianga wharf from Auckland and Tauranga and scows took a back load of sand from Whangapoua Harbour entrance to Auckland to lower their costs. Mining licences were also pursued at other beaches such as Otama so that scows could load under differing wind and wave conditions. The 1960 Chilean Earthquake and Tsunami This event seems to have had considerable effect in the northern Coromandel. There is a detailed account of the effects of the tsunami on shipping and on the removal of Snapper Rock from near the entrance of Whitianga Harbour. There is also a reference to the damage to Buffalo Beach, suggesting the erosion that led to the construction of the rock wall and later the groynes built by the MWD commenced as part of the effects of the tsunami. In Kennedy Bay the spit that separated the Harataunga Stream from the sea was breached and the river took a direct route to the ocean in a more southerly position. As a result, the old entrance and estuary became stagnant and polluted with septic tank discharges, cowshed effluent and the odd dead animal washed down from the hills. Marine Farming The Marine Farming Act was passed in 1971 but it was only towards the end of the 1970s that marine farming began to be developed in the area around Coromandel Harbour. Early applications were met with strong resistance by Auckland boat users who thought that marine farms would interfere with their recreation along the Coromandel west coast, especially within Coromandel Harbour. As the development of marine farms became accepted there were fewer objections and the industry became well established. The Thames Coromandel District Council (TCDC) commissioned a study to determine sites suitable for marine farming. This report also indicated where marine farming should not take place and became the main planning document for further coastal development. Related information: All these files are related to Ministry of Works and Development files as the MWD was the adviser to MOT.