Progress updates - Kauri National Park proposal
August 2011
What are the next steps in the Kauri National Park investigation - He aha te hātepe mō te papa-ā-iwi Kauri mai konei?
From 20 May to 18 July 2011 the Department of Conservation publicly notified the proposal to establish a Kauri National Park based on public conservation land in and around Waipoua Forest. The consultation process included releasing the 'Kauri National Park Proposal Public Discussion Paper' and holding a series of hui, meetings, workshops and 'drop-in sessions'.
The land identified for the national park proposal is within the rohe of Te Roroa, who have settled their historic Treaty claims with the Crown.
DOC is currently drafting a report on the proposal for the New Zealand Conservation Authority. The Authority will consider the report in accordance with the National Parks Act 1980, before making a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation as to whether the national park proposal should go ahead.
Key themes and questions which have emerged from public submissions and input include:
- Co-governance between DOC and Te Roroa to manage the proposed national park
- What impact a national park would have on communities, visitor infrastructure, roading, etc
- What protection the National Park Act gives to cultural and historic heritage
- What impact will a national park have on the health of kauri with the kauri dieback (PTA) threat
- How will a national park be funded
- A desire to see other Northland kauri forests protected by national park status in the future