Kia ora,
Here’s something I learned this month: there are very few better ways to spend a morning than watching the sun rise while on a boat on Mercury Bay…
Last weekend I had the great privilege of working with the Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) in Whitianga for two days of intense work on Sea Change – Tai Timu Tai Pari, developing the Hauraki Gulf marine spatial plan. Nothing could bring home the importance of this project more than spending time in the glorious surrounds of Whitianga and Mercury Bay.
Many people in this area rely on the Gulf for their livelihood, as well as enjoying it for its beauty and the lifestyle opportunities it offers. They have an intimate understanding of how pressures on the Gulf need to be managed – because they see the effects of those pressures every day. While much of our time in Whitianga was spent head-down at work in a meeting room, we also took the opportunity to visit the OPC mussel processing plant and get out on a boat in Mercury Bay in the company of some eloquent and knowledgeable mana whenua, marine scientists and local fishermen.
Our thanks go out to the many locals – including some of our own SWG members – who shared their knowledge, gave us such insight into the area and made us feel very welcome indeed.
In this issue of our newsletter, our SWG progress report takes a final look at the ‘Listening Post’ events, which have now been completed. The results from these events, held over six months right around the Gulf area, have been summarised into a truly inspiring document which I hope you will take the time to read.
We also take a brief look at the terms of reference for our issues-based Roundtables. From now until December 2014, Roundtables will be the key way we progress our work. To help keep you in the loop, from next month we’ll introduce you to one Roundtable topic in each newsletter and let you know about opportunities to contribute to their work.
Finally, continuing our focus on Whitianga, we introduce you to two of the Whitianga-based SWG members – Alison Henry and Alan Proctor – who bring very different skills to the table, but share a long-term vision for improving the gulf – its ecology, its economy and the health and wellbeing of its communities.
Thank you again for your support and interest as we work towards safeguarding the gulf as a healthy, productive and sustainable resource for all users. It’s vital that everyone who values the Hauraki Gulf knows about this project, so please encourage friends, family and colleagues to stay in the loop by signing up for these monthly updates.
Best wishes to all,
Nick Main, Stakeholder Working Group Independent Chair.