Living treasure Maungatautari up for discussion
The draft reserve management plan for the jewel in Waipā’s crown, Maungatautari Scenic Reserve, will be out for public discussion at the end of May following a recommendation made at Waipā District Council yesterday.
Maungatautari, 30 minutes south of Cambridge, is one of the world’s largest pest-free sanctuaries at 3,400ha surrounded by a 47km of pest-proof fence.
The draft Maungatautari Scenic Reserve Management Plan (the draft plan) was presented to the Council’s Strategic Planning and Policy Committee following an extensive collaboration between Council, Ngaati Koroki Kahukura and key partners such as the Department of Conservation, the Waikato Regional Council and Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust. The draft plan covers the 2,500ha of scenic reserve land within the pest-proof fence.
In 2014 the Ngāti Koroki Kahukura Claims Settlement Act (“the Act”) was passed. In the Act, the Crown acknowledges the cultural significance of Maungatautari to Ngaati Koroki Kahukura, Waikato-Tainui, Ngaati Hauaa and Raukawa which is regarded as a tupuna (ancestor) and living taonga (treasure). The Act required the review of the reserve management plan.
The draft plan acknowledges the significance of the Maungatautari to mana whenua and provides for them to have a living and enduring presence on the maunga.
Protecting and restoring NZ native and endangered species, enhancing biodiversity and maintaining the delicate ecosystem of Maungatautari remain key features of the Maungatautari Scenic Reserve Management Plan, highlighting the importance of Maungatautari as a living treasure to the Waipā district, nationally and internationally.
Council’s planning and community services group manager, Debbie Lascelles, said the management plan was the overarching document that sets the vision for the reserve and guides decisions on everything from restoration to the development and management of visitor and volunteer activities.
“Maungatautari Scenic Reserve is one of our district’s most precious taonga. It has a deep cultural history, going back thousands of years, is hugely significant to Maaori and is the living, breathing embodiment of years of teamwork across multiple sectors,” Lascelles said.
“The Maungatautari Scenic Reserve Management Plan provides a framework to guide how the maunga will be taken care of, who will take care of it, and what activities are permitted on and around it so we can continue the outstanding work that has already been achieved.”
As a result of the Ngāti Koroki Kahukura Claims Settlement Act, Maungatautari Scenic Reserve is symbolically owned by Te Hapori o Maungatautari; an entity that includes Ngaati Koroki Kahukura, Ngaati Hauaa, Waikato-Tainui, Raukawa, and the community of Maungatautari represented by the Mayor of Waipā District. Waipā District Council remains the administering body for the reserve and works closely with mana whenua directly and the Maungatautari Reserves Committee when making decisions related to the reserve land.
The rest of the 3,400ha area is owned by multiple Maaori land and private landowners who have allowed their land to be included within the world’s longest pest-proof fence to create this vast area of remnant indigenous forest.
Maintaining the 47km pest-proof fence remains a key consideration for the plan, along with access, obtaining external funding, robust volunteer and education programmes as well as guidance on what activities are allowed on the maunga.
Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust, established in 2001, known as Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, is contracted by Council to undertake the day-to-day management of the mainland ecological island. It, together with a significant network of volunteers, work tirelessly to provide a sanctuary for many of our most endangered species, including birds, skinks, geckos, frogs, bats and insects.
“Maungatautari certainly is a sacred place. The lush flora and fauna and sweet birdsong as you walk the many tracks throughout the reserve leave a lasting impression. It’s a place to fill and refresh your soul in nature. Just as it was meant to be,” Lascelles added.
In addition to its annual operating grant, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari received $10,000 from Council’s heritage fund in April 2019 to explore a safe electric fence option to allow for critically endangered kākāpō to be introduced to the park. With only 211 individual kakapo known to exist, a successful introduction to Maungatautari could boost the bird population.
Other vulnerable bird populations already established at Maungatautari include the hihi, kaka, takahe, North Island brown kiwi and kokako.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari holds national significance with a very successful breeding programme, producing four chicks from two takahe breeding pairs in the last season alone.
The draft Maungatautari Scenic Reserve Management Plan document and survey will be available online at www.waipadc.govt.nz/haveyoursay from Monday 25 May 2020 for a period of 10 weeks. It will also be available physically at the Waipā District Libraries and Council offices once they are open at Covid-19 Alert Level 2.
Submissions can be made online and by letter or phone.