Pukerua Bay Residents' Association
Tuesday, 10 March 2009, 7.30 pm
Present: Graham McLaughlin, Jack Fry, Pat Hanley, June Penhey, Robyn Moore, Iain MacLean, Dene Wade, Dagmar Pesendorfer, Gil England, Ian Barlow, Tim Sheppard, Tim Bright, Kate Dreaver, Stuart Brodie, Karen Apperley, Euon Murrell
Apologies:
Minutes: Moved Jack, Second Iain. Adopted.
Matters Arising: Need to put some info on the Rahui on the web site.
Karen requested that the AGM minutes be amended to record her personal view that the Residents' Association should advocate both the bypass and Transmission Gully.
Financial Report: $347.04 on hand including receipt of grant from PCC for 2008/09. Question as to whether an amount of $246.46 remains outstanding from printing costs. Also, $28.00 is outstanding for costs of the sign.
Correspondence: Summary by June Penhey of Council Matters received. Noted discount rates for seniors at the Aquatic Centre.
Marine Protection
Discussion on the submission to the Ministry of Fisheries due Friday, 6 April. Submission due 6 April.
The Submission is in respect of the extension of the current Rahui from June 2009 to June 2010, under § 186A Customary fishing provisions, and the introduction of a 5 year Fishing Regulation from Oct 2009 - Sep 2014 under § 297 (1) (a) (vii) of the Fisheries Act.
The application is being made by Ngati Toa.
Beyond 2014 we would see the need for ongoing protection measures but the nature of any measures has yet to be agreed either by Ngati Toa or Pukerua Bay residents. We will continue to work with Ngati Toa in terms of these longer term measures but we do not need to settle those issues prior to making this submission.
It is assumed that a Mataitai is the best solution in the long term, however there are alternatives which we can explore in the future.
Originally considered a marine reserve as part of the Kapiti Island Reserve, but this was seen as too restrictive as we wanted local people to continue to be able to fish in Pukerua Bay as they had done for generations. The main problem was seen as the excessive harvesting of paua. The idea of using customary fishing provisions came slowly with lots of discussion in the community. A dialogue was established with Ngati Toa and any concerns were overcome. The only reason we have any protection measures is because of the partnership with Ngati Toa. These measures have seen a great recovery of fish due to these measures and in particular the restriction on netting. The community appears very happy with the current limited measures.
In the submission which went to the Minister it indicates that a Mataitai is the favoured option, but there may be better options which have yet to be considered, for example a Taupuri may be a better way to go. Also noted that the Minister is on record as not favouring Mataitai.
In the past we were not aware that other options were possible. These are things we are just learning through the workshops with Fisheries officials.
Regarding the Minister's opposition to Mataitai, this was when he was in opposition and now that he is in a coalition with the Maori Party he may have to modify his views because the Maori Party support Mataitai. However, there is fundamental opposition in government to more regulation. Government also wishes to avoid conflict with commercial fishing rights, however, there is no commercial fishing here. Other tools which might provide protection but which do not come under customary fishing provisions such as a marine reserve would require Pukerua Bay to identify some very special characteristics of the area which would warrant a reserve. This appears very unlikely. Because National is anti-regulation, they are not supportive of more marine reserves. There are only 7 Taupuri in the country and the Minister is not supportive of more.
A Mataitai is the easiest solution. Smart communities are using customary provisions for very specific purposes.
The question arises, do we want the fisheries re-opened at some point in the future?
The priority has been the protection of paua. Handlines only allows for this protection and also protection of the reefs, which is essential. Diving is opposed because it is too hard to monitor. Set lines get tangled in the reefs disturbing the paua beds.
The path was determined ten years ago and we are following that path because it has the support of the community and Ngati Toa.
Neighbourhood Accessibility Plan
Ian Barlow reported that NZTA have requested detailed drawings of the cycleway/walkway. Ian to meet with NZTA on 12 March.
Presentation to NZTA Board in April.
Village Planning
- Skateboard bowl: Very successful opening event. Good media coverage. Some work still to be done including drainage work and plantings, as well as general upgrade of the other areas of the park. Also hoping the Regional Council will contribute to improving the surface of the car park area.
- Planning for south area of Ocean Parade: Hope to have prices for work by end of March. Work to commence soon after.
Long term Council Community Plan
Submissions due by end of April. Iain, Kate, Gil, and Robyn to work on this.
Other Business
- PCC Draft Tree and Vegetation Policy: Robyn to follow up.
- Muri Road footpath: Work commenced.
- Speed Bumps in Wairaka Road near kindergarten: Dagmar to assist on this with the PCC safety officer, Mark Kairua.
- Public Land: It was noted that much of the public land (reserves) in Pukerua Bay are in a very bad state. We need a Green Plan.
Meeting closed