Ecology needs consideration in Auckland’s southern boundary debate
14 August 2009

Proposed Southern Boundary (pdf)

People calling for Auckland’s southern boundary to be changed are ignoring the ecology of the area, ARC Chairman Mike Lee said today.

“The ARC is strongly opposed to the Mangatawhiri and Mangatangi dams and water storage lakes – and the area between them and the Firth of Thames – being excluded from the Auckland region.

“It’s irrational to exclude the dams and lakes – which were built and are maintained by Auckland ratepayers’ dollars – and the three regional parks in that area from the ‘Super City’.

“It’s even more silly when you consider the ecology of the area. Taking the dams and lakes out and the area between them and the Firth of Thames would cut right through the Hunua Ecological District.”

An ecological district is where geography, topography, climate and biology come together to produce a characteristic landscape and range of biological communities.
“The ecological district boundaries of an area are a major environmental consideration in environmental management that cannot be ignored when making boundary decisions like this,” said Mr Lee.

“Arguments about the two dams belonging to the Waikato Catchment are also silly – most of the water is piped north to Auckland.”

“I trust that common sense will prevail. Needlessly fiddling with Auckland’s boundaries makes no ecological sense. Lopping off a great chunk of Auckland would also fly in the face of a key objective of the Super City – better integration of the region’s growth and development.”

Mr Lee said the 14,000-plus hectares of regional parkland in the area is home to the threatened native song bird, the kokako.

“A recovery programme run by the ARC, assisted by the Department of Conservation and a small army of volunteers, has resulted in a significant increase in kokako numbers. No one wants to see this programme compromised either.”

Attached is a map that illustrates the current Auckland boundary, the southern regional boundary as proposed in the Bill, and the ARC’s recommended location of the southern regional boundary, with the ecological district boundaries laid over the top.

ENDS

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