Under the Reserves Act 1977, notice is given that the Minister of Conservation intends to recommend to the Governor-General that an Order in Council be made to name and classify a reserve in Himatangi, Horowhenua.

Proposed name and classification

It is proposed to classify this 24 ha reserve as a scientific reserve for the purposes of Section 21 of the Reserves Act 1977 and to name it the ‘Ototara Scientific Reserve’.

The reserve is located at the southern end of Himatangi Beach adjacent to the coastal beach itself. It has been created as an outcome of a Nature Heritage Fund purchase. Rangitāne o Manawatū has proposed the name for this scientific reserve as it is their traditional name for this area.

This notice seeks submissions from any person or organisation wishing to support or object to the proposed name and reserve classification (noting that this notice relates to the proposed name and classification only and not to the establishment of the scientific reserve itself).

Proposed Ototara Scientific Reserve additional information and map (PDF, 360K)

How to submit

Submissions closed 24 February 2023. 

What happens next?

After considering any submissions received on the proposed classification and name, and before a final decision is made, the Minister of Conservation will refer them to the New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa), in accordance with section 16A Reserves Act 1977.