Pursuant to the New Zealand Geographic Board Act 2008, notice is hereby given that the Department of Conservation proposes to name a wetland conservation area in the Wairarapa region.

New name and area details

New name: Wairarapa Moana Ramsar Wetland.

A Ramsar Site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. This is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

Previous name: The wetland area currently does not have an official name.

Location of covered by the new name: Lakes Wairarapa and Onoke and their adjacent wetland areas. This area is the largest wetland area in the southern North Island and is located approximately 5 km southwest of Featherston.

Map of area covered by new name (JPG, 230K)

How to make a submission

Any person or organisation may make a submission in writing by either email or mail.

Email: zhaika@doc.govt.nz

Post:
DOC
Otago District
PO Box 5244
Dunedin

Attention: Zeniff Haika, Statutory Land Management Advisor

Submission close 26 March 2020.

Once submitted, submitters' information is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act. If you wish to keep any part of your submission confidential, state this in writing when making your submission.

What happens next

After considering any submissions received on the proposed name the Minister of Conservation will refer them to the New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa). This will be in accordance with section 18AB Conservation Act 1987, in order to be reviewed by the Board under section 27(3) of the New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa) Act 2008.

Timeline of events

12 March 2020

Proposed new name changed to Wairarapa Moana Ramsar Wetland. The change to the proposed new name is to recognise the designation of the wetland area.

26 February 2020

Proposed new name of Wairarapa Moana goes to the public for consultation.