NEWS AND EVENTS FROM AROUND OUR REGION: APRIL 2017
FIND OUT MORE AT: WWW.HBRC.GOVT.NZ • 0800 108 838
HBREGIONALCOUNCIL
Star Compass Points
to Shared History
The star compass Ātea a Rangi provides an
impressive stop for cyclists on the coastal trail.
Ātea a Rangi: a 50 metre wide star compass is a stunning new feature on the Hawke’s Bay coast.
Occupying a historically significant site overlooking the
Pacific, the celestial compass features the first 4 of 32
pou, or carved posts, which will mark the compass points
that early Polynesian settlers used for navigation. The transformation of this area of the Waitangi Regional
Park has been a collaboration between Te Matau a Maui
Voyaging Trust and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. The
compass celebrates this important historical area where
both Māori and Europeans first arrived in Hawke’s Bay.
Story boards have been installed around the compass to
explain the history of the area.
“We want to educate people and let them know of the
historical importance of this part of the land and about
celestial navigation,” said Phillip Smith, Chairman Te
Matau a Maui Voyaging Trust.
An extended wetland area has been created nearby to
provide more habitat for birds and breeding areas for
whitebait. Public planting days will be held this winter to
further enhance the new wetland.
LOCAL INGENUITY HELPS FISH
An innovative - and inexpensive - floating ramp
will help native fish, such as inanga, eels, bullies,
overcome the barriers which prevent them from
migrating between streams and the ocean.
Dan Fake from the HBRC environmental science
team has come up with a design as part of his
Master’s thesis.
While barriers (such as culverts) can often cost
thousands of dollars to modify, these new fish
ramps, at under $500 each, are relatively cheap.
FARMERS' FEEDBACK SOUGHT
PLANNING AHEAD FOR 2017-18
TIME TO CLEAN UP
In the Annual Plan for 2017/18 the Regional
Councillors want to take a stronger and more visible
approach to fixing problems for our rivers, streams,
lakes, and estuaries.
“We have big challenges in our environment and
our council faces difficult choices with our limited
resources,” says Rex Graham, HBRC Chairman.
The three options Hawke’s Bay ratepayers
are being asked to consider are:
• no rates increase for the coming year
• the scheduled 4.88% increase as indicated in
the Long Term Plan (‘business as usual’)
• a one-off 9.88% rate increase to create an
environmental fund to fast track key environmental projects. The Council has flagged six
environmental hot spots it would like to fast
track, including more research into the marine
environment.
HAVE YOUR SAY!
IN CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY
If given a mandate, council would use the kick start
environmental fund to develop an enhancement plan
for river and stream edges, lakes and wetlands (riparian), and biodiversity enhancement.
We want to continue to improve water quality in the
Tukituki catchment. Under the Tukituki Plan now in
place, landowners must prepare farm environment
management plans, including fencing waterways and
planting stream edges.
Lake Whatuma is home to the largest population of
the endangered native Bittern. Water quality in this
shallow lake is compromised by nutrient run off from
surrounding land, and also by the large number of
birds, resulting in algal blooms. Reducing nutrient inputs will help. Willow control to protect swamp habitat
has already been completed, as has a predator control
programme by landowners and water fowl hunters,
supported by HBRC.
Please take time to consider details of the plans and options on:
www.hbrc.govt.nz #AP2017. Make your submissions by 4pm Friday 12 May.
Do you have calamint on your rural property? This
is a pest plant which can invade pasture, but is
often overlooked.
We are applying to the Sustainable Farming Fund
to assist with a biological control programme, and it
would be helpful to know the extent of calamint in
Hawke’s Bay. We’d appreciate hearing from rural
landowners who can identify this plant on their
property. Please contact Darin Underhill,
Plant Pest Team Leader on 027 497 7541 or
[email protected].
EASY WAY TO PAY YOUR RATES
With Direct Debit you can budget for 3 equal
payments at the end of November, December and
January. Or pay a single January payment. There's
no need to adjust amounts each year.
An application form is on www.hbrc.govt.nz /
search #payrates or phone 06 835 2955.