Whangamata Harbour and Catchment Plans

The harbour plan recognises that the land and harbour are connected - what we do on the land surrounding the harbour can affect the harbour's health. It also recognises that the harbour has: - multiple uses - contains many types of habitat (places where plants and animals live) - provides attractive views and is a place for recreation and food gathering. The extent and importance of key concerns and risks to the harbour are identified in the plan, and the actions needed to address them are outlined. The harbour plan also led to the development of two supporting documents - the Draft Whangamata Catchment Management Plan and Whangamata Mangrove Management Options Report. The Draft Whangamata Catchment Management Plan supports the Draft Whangamata Harbour Plan. It sets out the priority works the Regional Council proposes to carry out to address the sedimentation and flooding issues identified in the harbour plan, the timeframe over which the works will be done and estimated costs. To address the sedimentation and flooding issues identified in the harbour plan, the Draft Whangamata Catchment Management Plan has prioritised specific land management, riparian enhancement and river and flood management works in the Wentworth, Waikiekie, Te Weiti and Otuwhete sub-catchments. The Wentworth River sub-catchment would be our initial priority because this is the largest river system in the Whangamata catchment and it has the highest silt loading. The primary aim of these works is to reduce the amount of soil eroding into the streams, leading to less sedimentation and infilling of the harbour. This will also help limit the places where mangroves can grow. There will be other benefits too, like more native plants, improved habitats for fish and insects and better water quality. Purpose: Over the years various visions for Whangamata's harbour have been developed by a number of community groups and through a range of community processes. Although described in different ways, there are some common outcomes they are all seeking: •clean water •thriving ecosystems - in the harbour and surrounding wetland and forest areas •a stable catchment •access to and around the harbour. To help achieve these outcomes, Environment Waikato has developed the Draft Whangamata Harbour Plan and two supporting documents - the Draft Whangamata Catchment Management Plan and Whangamata Mangrove Management Options Report.

Draft Whangamata Harbour Plan: This plan sets out the strategic context for managing Whangamata Harbour and the surrounding land (the catchment). The harbour plan notes that: •reducing the amount of sediment from the catchment entering the harbour is a priority issue in Whangamata •the problem of sedimentation infilling the harbour has developed over decades from soil erosion caused by land clearance for urban and agricultural use (including farming and forestry) and from stream bank erosion •increased sedimentation has contributed to the expansion of mangroves in the harbour because mangroves grow in mud. Draft Whangamata Catchment Management Plan: As a supporting document to the harbour plan, the catchment plan sets out the priority works we propose to carry out to address the sedimentation and flooding issues identified in the harbour plan, the timeframe over which the works will be done and estimated costs. Whangamata Mangrove Management Options Report: This report has been provided for discussion with the community on how (or if) mangroves in Whangamata should be managed.

Whangamata Catchment and Estuary

Draft report completed in 2007, using known information. Overview report completed in 2009.

Varied Frequency of collection: n/a

Data quality: n/a Completeness: Project is complete

Various Digital Format: Available from website in .pdf form.

Publications available on EW website: www.ew.govt.nz/PageFiles/2101/draftwhangamataharbourplan.pdf Sensitivity/Confidentiality: Public information

Draft

Related information: Catchment and Harbour plan also developed in Wharekawa.