Kaipara Harbour Economic and Environmental Balance

Kaipara Harbour is a significant economic hub, with the fishing industry being a major contributor to the local economy. It's responsible for around 10% of New Zealand's total fish catch.

The harbour's fishing industry is also a major employer, with many locals working in the sector. In fact, the harbour's fishing fleet is one of the largest in the country.

Kaipara Harbour's unique geography makes it prone to environmental issues, such as sedimentation and pollution.

The Kaipara Harbour is a vast and complex waterway, stretching for 60 kilometres from north to south.

The harbour has an extensive catchment area, feeding five major rivers and over a hundred streams, including the Wairoa, Otamatea, Oruawharo, Tauhoa, and Kaipara.

Its shoreline is convoluted by the entry of many rivers and streams, making it about 800 kilometres long.

The harbour entrance is a narrow channel to the Tasman Sea, narrowing to just 6 kilometres wide in some areas.

The harbour is mostly shallow, formed from a system of drowned river valleys.

On average, Kaipara tides rise and fall 2.10 metres, with spring tidal flows reaching 9 km/h in the entrance channel.

Big waves from the Tasman Sea break over large sandbanks about five metres below the surface, two to five kilometres from the shore.

These treacherous sandbanks, known as the graveyard, are responsible for more shipwrecks than any other place in New Zealand, claiming at least 43 vessels to date.

Kaipara Harbour is facing significant environmental challenges, with its environmental state being described as "nearing crisis" and "in significant decline" as of 2011. The harbour's fish and shellfish stocks are shrinking, and water quality is declining.

Pollution is a major issue, with ninety-nine per cent of the rivers in the catchment being polluted. This has had a devastating impact on biodiversity, with many native species struggling to survive.

The timber industry's removal of native forest has had a lasting impact, with much of the kauri and kahikatea forest replaced with farm and urban areas. Soil erosion has increased on the land, and sedimentation in the harbour is a significant problem.

Here are some of the key environmental issues affecting Kaipara Harbour:

The Kaipara Harbour is facing some serious environmental issues. As of 2011, the harbour's environmental state was described as "nearing crisis" and "in significant decline".

Shrinking fish and shellfish stocks, sedimentation, declining water quality, and competition for resource use and development are just a few of the main problems. Ninety-nine percent of the rivers in the catchment are polluted.

The timber industry's removal of native forest has led to habitat fragmentation. Much of the kauri and kahikatea forest, and scrub and riparian vegetation, has been replaced with farm and urban areas. Mangrove forests and wetlands have been "reclaimed".

Soil erosion has increased on the land, and sedimentation in the harbour has become a major issue. Shellfish abundance has declined, especially for species like toheroa, scallops, tuatua, cockles, and pipi. Finfish like mullet, snapper, kanae, and school shark have also diminished.

Here are some of the key environmental issues in the Kaipara Harbour:

Sand mining is a significant activity in the Kaipara region, with about 219,000 cubic metres of sand being mined each year from the entrance and tidal deltas.

This sand is in high demand, contributing over half of the sand requirements for Auckland. It's used in the production of concrete and asphalt, as well as in drainage systems and beach nourishment.

A suction pump is typically used to extract the sand from the seabed, which is then pumped into a barge as a sand and water slurry. Shells and other objects are screened out and the sea water is drained back to the sea as the barge loads.

The availability of sea sand within the Auckland region saves on road costs associated with transporting sand from further parts of the country.

The Māori history of Kaipara Harbour is a rich and complex one. Māori settlements and marae have been scattered around the harbour margins for hundreds of years.

The waterways of the Kaipara provided Māori with resources and a ready means of moving between marae. Today, most marae are associated with the Ngāti Whātua sub-tribes, Te Taoū and Te Uri-o-Hau.

These sub-tribes descend from the chief Haumoewhārangi, who settled on the north end of the Kaipara entrance at Poutō. He was killed in an argument about kūmara (sweet potatoes).

Māori settlements and marae have been scattered around the harbour margins for hundreds of years.

The waterways of the Kaipara provided, and still provide, Māori with resources and a ready means of moving between marae.

Today most marae are associated with the Ngāti Whātua sub-tribes, Te Taoū and Te Uri-o-Hau.

Haumoewhārangi, a chief, settled on the north end of the Kaipara entrance at Poutō and was killed in an argument about kūmara (sweet potatoes).

Haumoewhārangi's widow Waihekeao developed a partnership with a Tainui warrior chief, Kāwharu.

Kāwharu led several destructive campaigns around Kaipara, and the descendants of Waihekeao and Haumoewhārangi eventually came to control the Kaipara Harbour.

Te Uri-o-Hau was founded by Hakiputatōmuri and controlled the northern part of Kaipara Harbour.

Te Taoū was founded by Mawake and controlled the south.

The descendants of Waihekeao and Haumoewhārangi have a significant presence in the Kaipara Harbour area to this day.

Gibbs Farm NZ is located near the Kaipara Harbour in New Zealand.

The Gibbs Farm is connected to a proposal to build a large rubbish dump in the Dome Valley.

This dump would be situated near the Hoteo River, a primary tributary to the Kaipara Harbour.

The Dome Valley is a place of high rainfall and frequent flooding.

Any issues with the dump would likely affect the land and the Kaipara Harbour's ecosystem.

Kaipara Harbour has a significant impact on the local economy. The harbour is a major commercial fishing port, with many fishing vessels operating out of the harbour.

The harbour's commercial fishing industry generates millions of dollars in revenue each year. This revenue supports local businesses and contributes to the regional economy.

The harbour is also home to a small but growing tourism industry. Visitors come to the harbour to enjoy its natural beauty and participate in activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife watching.

The Kaipara Harbour is a significant player in New Zealand's fishing industry, with about 80% of commercially caught fish linked to food chains dependent on mangroves. The harbour's estuarine areas breed a variety of fish species, including snapper, mullet, and kahawai.

The Kaipara is the largest estuarine harbour on the west coast of New Zealand, providing suitable breeding grounds for juvenile fish. This is particularly important for snapper, which are New Zealand's largest recreational fishery.

In 2009, scientists discovered that 98% of snapper on the west coast of the North Island were originally juveniles from nurseries in the Kaipara. This highlights the importance of protecting natural habitats like the Kaipara.

The harbour is also home to a range of other seafood species, including native rock oysters, introduced Pacific oysters, cockles, tuatua, mussels, and scallops.

Tidal power is a promising source of renewable energy. In 2008, Crest Energy received resource consent to install about 200 underwater tidal turbines in the Kaipara Harbour.

The turbines would use the substantial tidal flows to produce electricity for approximately 250,000 homes. Each turbine has a maximum output of 1.2 MW, and is expected to generate 0.75 MW averaged over time.

The peak level of generation for the combined turbines is about 200 MW, which exceeds the projected peak electricity needs of Northland. This would have significant environmental benefits in offsetting annual carbon emissions.

The project was costed at about $600 million and would have to be scaled up rapidly to be economic.

Kaipara Harbour has a rich history, with evidence of human settlement dating back over 800 years. The harbour was an important place for the indigenous Māori people, who used it for fishing and other activities.

The harbour is also a popular spot for recreation, with many people visiting each year to enjoy activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming.

The management of the Kaipara Harbour is a complex issue, with multiple organizations involved. The Kaipara District Council, Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council, the Department of Conservation's Northland and Auckland section, and the Ministry of Fisheries all play a role.

Management is distributed among these organizations, but local iwi feel they are not sufficiently involved in management issues. This lack of involvement can be a major obstacle to effective management.

The Ministry of Fisheries allocates quota for the north west region of New Zealand as a whole, but does not tailor quota specifically for the Kaipara. This can lead to overfishing and further decline in the harbour's ecosystem.

There are several initiatives aimed at improving management of the Kaipara Harbour, including the Integrated Kaipara Harbour Management Group and the Kaipara Moana Remediation Programme.

We've been working on updating the Kaipara Harbour SAP, and we want to share the latest developments with you. We asked the local community how they use and value Kaipara Harbour coastal areas earlier this year.

The coastal hazard information and advice from our coastal management team have helped us draft a plan to manage the shorelines in this area. Our team has been reviewing the data and consulting with experts to ensure the plan is thorough and effective.

We're now seeking your input on the coastal strategies we're proposing to apply to this area. We want to know what you think about the plan and how it affects the community. Your feedback will be invaluable in shaping the final plan.

We have four strategies to apply to each SAP area, and smaller areas within the SAP. These strategies will guide decisions around how we manage council-owned land and assets in each SAP area.

The Kaipara Harbour was a haven for marine life, with people harvesting a variety of species for both profit and pleasure.

In the late 19th century, it was not uncommon to see people collecting scallops from the harbour's sandbanks at low tide. The scallops had disappeared from the harbour for a long time, but they've recently made a comeback.

Fishing trips in the harbour were a popular activity, with people pulling in snapper, gurnard, stingrays, and even little sharks. Mum was quite the angler, often catching the best fish despite using just a hand line.

A fresh flounder for breakfast was a treat, especially if the boys had gone out to the Island. Unfortunately, not everyone had access to the harbour's sandy side, with some areas featuring mudflats and mangroves instead.

Kaipara Harbour is located in the North Island of New Zealand, specifically in the Auckland Region.

The harbour is situated about 70 kilometres north of Auckland City, making it a popular day-trip destination for locals and tourists alike.

The area around Kaipara Harbour is known for its rural charm, with rolling hills, farmland, and small towns like Helensville and Wellsford.

Northland is home to the Kaipara Harbour, a place teeming with life.

One of the most comprehensive histories of the area is found in Tall Spars, Steamers and Gum, written by Wayne Ryburn in 2001.

The region is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, with crystal-clear waters and powdery white sand.

You can visit the beach at sunrise or sunset for a truly unforgettable experience.

The region's scenic coastline is dotted with picturesque fishing villages, where you can sample the freshest seafood and local cuisine.

Many of these villages have been preserved in their original state, giving visitors a glimpse into the region's rich history and culture.

The region's vibrant arts scene is on full display at the local galleries, where you can see works by local artists and artisans.

From traditional crafts to modern masterpieces, the region's galleries showcase a diverse range of artistic styles and techniques.

The region's festivals and events are a great way to experience the local culture and meet the friendly locals.

The annual harvest festival is a highlight of the region's events calendar, with live music, delicious food, and plenty of activities for all ages.

The region's scenic hiking trails offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and are a great way to get some exercise and fresh air.

Many of the trails are suitable for families and beginners, making them a great option for those looking to explore the great outdoors.

Kaipara Harbour has a rich history dating back hundreds of years, with Māori settlements and marae scattered around the harbour margins.

The harbour provided a vital source of resources and a means of transportation for Māori, with the Ngāti Whātua sub-tribes, Te Taoū and Te Uri-o-Hau, being the most associated with the area today.

Haumoewhārangi, a chief, was killed in an argument over kūmara (sweet potatoes) on the north end of the Kaipara entrance at Poutō, and his widow Waihekeao went on to develop a partnership with a Tainui warrior chief, Kāwharu.

Māori mythology tells that the canoe Māhuhu came from Hawaiki and overturned when trying to enter the harbour, and Arawa chief Kahumatamomoe is credited with bestowing the name Kaipara in the 15th century.

European settlers started arriving in the late 1830s, drawn by the abundance of kauri for shipbuilding, which led to the breaking in of productive pastures for farming, including kumara in the north and grapes in the southern reaches.

Gumdigging was also a common activity, taking advantage of the harbour's resources.