What is happening on Tīkapa Moana o Hauraki ?

1st February 2024

Removal trial of Exotic Caulerpa begins at Waiheke Island

The Waiheke Marine Project team is elated at news from Ngati Paoa Iwi Trust that the first stage of a trial removal of Exotic Caulerpa has started in late January on the Northern Coast.

The invasive seaweed Exotic Caulerpa was initially discovered 6 months ago during one of the project's underwater ROV surveys near Thompson Point. Further investigations lead to the known incursion area being expanded to include Onetangi bay with a rāhui and restrictions on seafloor contact quickly following.

Exotic caulerpa can rapidly spread and dominate broad areas of the marine coastal ecosystem down to depths of 50m, displacing native biodiversity, is deeply unwelcome and a target for a concerted elimination strategy.

Contractors engaged by Ngāti Paoa, supported by Biosecurity NZ, are operating a diver-directed suction nozzle to bring the seaweed to the surface for treatment at the Old Blackpool School site. Additional methods are planned to treat less dense areas by laying biodegradable benthic mats donated by Bremworth; however funding limitations means that the trial will be relatively short.

Waiheke Marine Project has been able to continue a limited underwater surveillance programme by ROV with the support of Auckland Council. The first of five planned new ROV surveys took place on 10th January 2024 exploring the Owhanake bay area. Fortunately no exotic caulerpa was detected here and the next focus is on the coast further east. On 18th January, two project divers checked the Woodlands Bay area viewing the known incursions. The examples viewed in a more sparse area appeared less vibrant and images have been shared with NIWA for analysis. Samples are also being analysed at Auckland University’s Laboratory including UV light treatment. On 31st of January the ROV team crewed by Ngāti Paoa ki Waiheke and Logan Marine assisted the diving/suction nozzle contractor in locating the incursions. There were reports of the stolons (or vertical paddles) being covered in sediment making early identification challenging. In other area’s the density of seabed cover was considerably higher with the new  images taken being useful for comparison with earlier surveys. The trial is in its early days and we hope for continued settled sea conditions to increase the likelihood of the best possible removal outcome.

WMP along side Ngāti Paoa have been supporting our neighbours at Aotea/Great Barrier, Ahu Ahu/Great Mercury Island, Rawhiti/Bay of Islands and Kawau Island with their efforts to combat exotic caulerpa and will continue this with urgency, bringing experience with Waiheke’s specific situation to the overall picture.  

We ask that the public support this goal and efforts by keeping a sharp eye out for exotic caulerpa. It spreads rapidly from dislodged fragments on currents and on boating and fishing equipment. If you think you've spotted Caulerpa, note the location, take a photo and report it to Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66 or by completing the online reporting form at report.mpi.govt.nz

The WMP wishes to thank the huge network involved in efforts to protect and regenerate Waiheke’s marine environment.  Particular thanks for this Marine Monitoring mahi to Hauraki Gulf Forum, Logan Marine, MPI/Bisecurity NZ, Auckland Council, Ngāti Paoa, and the Pou Rāhui Project.

Ngāti Paoa ki Waiheke (NPKW) November update

NPKW are gearing up for a busy summer season ahead, ready to deliver our suite of underwater, regenerative activities and opening pathways for our whānau to be kaitiaki for our moana around Te Motu Arai Roa.

With deep gratitude to Foundation North, we will once again be able to run an exciting season of Kelp Gardening at Enclosure Bay in 2023/24. This kaupapa is all about continuing with the mahi of restoring rimurimu abundance through our manual removal of kina from the inshore reefs and redistributing these kina amongst whānau on the motu. In doing so, we emphasise the work of rebalancing ecosystems at a local scale, honouring the mauri of kina and moana as a whole. 

Along with Kelp Gardeners, we will also be recruiting a small group of dedicated volunteers again this season to get trained up with their open water scuba diving certificates, with all hands are on deck as we continue the vital mahi of tirotiro (observations) of our near-shore reef systems around the motu. Each season brings more learnings from years past, but the kaupapa remains the same: we are here to reconnect and step into our kaitiakitanga responsibilities as mana whenua of this place, this island, and this planet.  

Please keep your eyes peeled for upcoming offerings from the WMP and NPKW, including a new round of snorkelling/skin diver training for our rangatahi, dive trainings (both scuba and freediving) for whānau 16 years+, and the exciting opportunities to get wet and immersed in the moana with another year of kōura surveys and ongoing monitoring efforts to curtail the spread of another, more hōhā relation – Exotic Caulerpa. Our message remains clear, just as it did for our tīpuna, ‘kia tūtakarerewa’ – be alert, be on guard.  

We have wānanga and more hui-a-whānau events on the horizon as we roll into the warmer months too. Please get in touch if you’re interested in knowing more – we are always looking for more whanaunga to join the kaupapa and grow this movement collectively.  

On a final note, just as the tide ebbs and flows, our organisation also expands and contracts. We are currently looking for a rockstar to step into an kaimahi mana whenua/coordinator role for NPKW. Hopefully we can fill this position soon. If you are interested in joining the team, a position advert will be online soon – please share this widely with our fellow Ngāti Pāoa whānau and we look forward to entering a new phase of the project.

Leigh Takirau

Pou Kōkiri

Submission on Bottom Fishing Access Zones in the   Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

Submissions to Fisheries NZ closed on Monday 6th November 2023

Submission on the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill 

Waiheke Exotic Caulerpa - 6 weeks & growing

News release 13 September 2023

Just over 6 weeks ago, the invasive Exotic Caulerpa seaweed was discovered near Thompson's Point on Waiheke’s Northern coastline. In these 6 weeks this unwanted weed has likely to have continued its creep over Waiheke’s seabed despite the cooler season’s discouraging water temperature.

Exotic Caulerpa has been detected in 3 main zones on Waiheke’s Northern coast and an understanding of the extent and nature of the invasion is growing as well. Diving teams and underwater drone work have found varying sparse examples outside of these primary denser sites however concerns at the repercussions for Tikapa moana and for our communities are far from having been allayed.

The Waiheke Marine Project (WMP) crew, which included Ngāti Paoa ki Waiheke (NPKW) and underwater drone operator Logan Marine, made the initial alarming discovery in late July. In late August, the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) contracted the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) for 3 more diving days. Their mahi included an inspection of the known sites at both sides of Thompson's point, and in Onetangi at Opopoto, Pie Melon Bay and Woodlands Bays. Several sparse detections were also made across the bay itself in about 8 metres of water depth - just out from the beach. Continuing around the island with spot dives, the team fortunately did not detect Exotic Caulerpa in other locations.

Adding to this collaboration, two ROV survey days (1st and 9th September) by WMP and Logan Marine have been conducted for the Department of Conservation (DOC) in the Te Matuku Marine Reserve area on Waiheke’s Southern coast. No Exotic Caulerpa was detected in the 44 transects completed - the results are being analysed now, to produce a full report.

Earlier in August Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust laid a rāhui on an area between Mawhitipana Bay and just beyond Onetangi Bay and are working with MPI on a treatment plan with urgency.

WMP encourages the avoidance of the incursion area, particularly with any activity that has seafloor contact such as fishing, anchoring and diving as this may dislodge small fragments.

To help raise awareness of this threat, team members are engaging with clubs, visitors and residents. Existing connections with neighboring groups are being nurtured as we face together the challenge brought by this pest and its interruption of the amenity and the creatures of the sea.

Exotic Caulerpa competes with native species for light and takes over the home of other sea creatures leading to a loss of biodiversity and displacement. It spreads extremely easily with only the tiniest fragment being able to grow in its new location The communities of Aotea Great Barrier, Ahu Ahu - Great Mercury, Te Kawau Tūmaro ō Toi - Kawau Island, and Omākiwi Cove in the Bay of Islands are all dealing with the unwanted arrival of exotic Caulerpa. Waiheke Island is showing that a proactive surveillance programme is key to early detection and this will help to get a head start on eradication.

If you think you've spotted Exotic Caulerpa, please note the location, take a photo and report it to Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66 or by completing the online reporting form at report.mpi.govt.nz.

If the sample is not too big, bag it and take it home to land for hot composting or rubbish disposal. Afterwards, please wash your hands and anything having contact with the weed using a biosafe detergent.

Please go to https://www.waihekemarineproject.org/marinemonitoring for more details.

Contact us - team@waihekemarineproject.org

Exotic Caulerpa - 4 weeks since discovery

News release 28 August 2023

Tomorrow marks a month since the invasive Exotic Caulerpa seaweed was discovered near Thompson's Point on Waiheke’s Northern coastline.

A Waiheke Marine Project (WMP) crew, which included Ngāti Paoa ki Waiheke (NPKW) and underwater drone operators Logan Marine, found the alarming examples during the 3rd of a survey series in late July.

A detailed Exotic Caulerpa update was presented to the community on Sunday 20th August at Piritahi Marae which was initially planned as a kōura/crayfish survey results release.

Since then a further 3 ROV survey days and two diver days have been completed as we begin to understand the extent of the area impacted.

A dive crew from the Pou Rāhui project of Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust conducted several dives last week including conducting a treatment experiment on a small area west of Thompson's point

Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust have laid a rāhui on friday 25th August

MPI’s contracted NIWA team are scheduled to return to Waiheke this week with a plan to continue the delimiting (finding the extremities) of Waiheke’s exotic caulerpa infestation.

Biosecurity NZ have placed an informative video on the Fullers360 Waiheke ferry onboard screens.

A diverse group are working together to find a way to effectively combat exotic caulerpa around Waiheke. This includes and is not limited to; Ngāti Paoa, Waiheke Local Board, Auckland Council, Biosecurity NZ, Te Wero Nui and our wider community focused on caring for Tīkapa Moana.

Further surveys, treatment options, signage, marker buoys and community engagement are planned - In the meantime WMP encourages the avoidance of the incursion area, particularly with any activity that has seafloor contact such as fishing, anchoring and diving as this may dislodge small fragments.

Exotic Caulerpa competes with native species for light and takes over the home of other sea creatures leading to a loss of biodiversity and displacement. It spreads extremely easily with only the tiniest fragment being able to grow in its new location The communities of Aotea Great Barrier, Ahu Ahu - Great Mercury, Te Kawau Tūmaro ō Toi - Kawau Island, and Omākiwi Cove in the Bay of Islands are all dealing with the unwanted arrival of exotic Caulerpa. Waiheke Island is showing that a deliberate surveillance programme is key to early detection and will help to get a head start on eradication.

If you think you've spotted Exotic Caulerpa, please note the location, take a photo and report it to Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66 or by completing the online reporting form at report.mpi.govt.nz

Please go to https://www.waihekemarineproject.org/marinemonitoring for more details.

Waiheke Exotic Caulerpa - 2 weeks on

15 August 2023

Two weeks ago the invasive Exotic Caulerpa seaweed was discovered near Thompson's Point on Waiheke’s Northern coastline. A Waiheke Marine Project (WMP) crew, which included Ngāti Paoa ki Waiheke (NPKW) and underwater drone operators Logan Marine, found the alarming examples during the 3rd planned survey in late July.

In the heady days that followed, confirmation of the identification arrived and then a dive team tasked by WMP with gathering more detailed photography examined the site.

In early August MPI’s contracted NIWA dive team checked the area and expanded on the initial WMP transects in an attempt to locate the edges of the Caulerpa plants and help define the size of the challenge ahead. Exotic caulerpa was not found on the dives West of Nani island but was found in the Thompson's Point area. This includes Opopoto Bay and Woodlands Bay, both in the greater Onetangi Bay area. WMP is encouraging the community to avoid these areas, especially for fishing, anchoring and diving to reduce the risk of spreading this unwelcome weed. Exotic Caulerpa competes with native species for light and takes over the home of other sea creatures leading to a loss of biodiversity and displacement. It spreads extremely easily with only the tiniest fragment being able to grow in its new location

The communities of Aotea Great Barrier, Ahu Ahu - Great Mercury, Te Kawau Tūmaro ō Toi - Kawau Island, and Omākiwi Cove in the Bay of Islands are all dealing with the unwanted arrival of exotic Caulerpa.

Waiheke Island is showing that a deliberate surveillance programme is key to early detection and will help to get a head start on eradication. In recent days suitable weather has allowed WMP to continue with its surveillance using two boats, conducting a further 54 ROV transects over two days and getting 4 divers in the water for close observation of the invasive seaweed.

This mahi is leading to a growing understanding of the spread and density in these initial discovery areas in collaboration with MPI and Auckland Council. Next, a dive crew from the Pou Rāhui project of Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust will bring the power of mātauranga Māori to this significant challenge which threatens the restoration and healing of Tīkapa Moana - Hauraki Gulf with likely ongoing consequences.

Bittersweet announcement of exotic caulerpa discovery at Waiheke Island

2nd August 2023

The Waiheke Marine Project are sad to announce the discovery of an exotic caulerpa infestation off the coast of Waiheke Island, near Thompson Point. 

This is a bitter blow for mana whenua and the Waiheke community who have been working tirelessly to protect and regenerate Waiheke’s marine environment.  Ngāti Paoa laid a rāhui in January 2021 (that was later supported in legislation by a s186a of the Fisheries Act) to protect four taonga species particularly vulnerable to multiple threats in the ocean. 

Ngāti Paoa are also working with four other iwi with rāhui around Tīkapa Moana to bring the power of mātauranga Māori to healing the Gulf.  The presence of exotic caulerpa, that can rapidly spread and dominate broad areas of the marine coastal ecosystem down to depths of 50m, displacing native biodiversity, is deeply unwelcome and must be stopped and eliminated. 

Ngāti Paoa work closely with the Waiheke Marine Project on marine monitoring including running Hauraki Gulf Forum funded remote operated vehicle (ROV) surveys for exotic caulerpa.  Prompted by the July discovery at Kawau the WMP team of Logan Marine Projects and Ngāti Paoa crew focused their 29th July ROV survey on the Palm Beach area. Two sightings near Thompson's Point on Waiheke’s North Coast raised alarm bells.  Video footage was quickly reported to Biosecurity New Zealand who passed it on to the Marine Invasives Taxonomic Service at NIWA for diagnosis.  Provisional confirmation has been given that this is exotic Caulerpa with DNA testing and final confirmation coming at the end of this week.

Cognisant of the importance of early detection to support an immediate, informed and sustained response to combating caulerpa, the WMP with agreement of Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust and the Waiheke Local Board contracted a small team of science divers to get into the water on 1st August to gather more data about the discovery.  The images provided are from the Submerged dive team and show both the sizable spread of infestation and the young life cycle stage of the caulerpa plants.

Biosecurity New Zealand have contracted NIWA divers, weather permitting, to get into the water on the 3rd and 4th of August to begin delimiting (finding the edges) of the exotic caulerpa infestation. With data from both dive teams, the local coordination group of NPIT, WMP, Biosecurity New Zealand and Auckland Council, will be in a good position to make rapid and informed decisions about reducing and hopefully eliminating exotic caulerpa from Waiheke waters. 

Exotic caulerpa is a symptom of the systemic failure of humans to care for the ocean. It will take an entire system of collaborative action to interrupt the invasion and return native biodiversity to mauri ora, a strong and healthy state.  Ngāti Paoa and the WMP have been supporting our neighbours at Aotea/Great Barrier, Ahu Ahu/Great Mercury Island, Rawhiti/Bay of Islands and Kawau Island with their efforts to combat exotic caulerpa and will continue this with urgency, bringing Waiheke’s specific situation to the overall picture.  This includes actively participating in and supporting the upcoming caulerpa roadshow organised by Ngāti Manuhiri. Here, four Californian experts who have been communicating with the WMP since February, are bringing their experience in eradicating exotic caulerpa directly to the communities affected.

Ngāti Paoa, the WMP and the Waiheke Local Board are committed to the goal of completely eliminating exotic caulerpa from Waiheke’s waters, with an initial goal of being in the water doing reduction activities within 15 days of identification.

We ask that the public support this goal and efforts by keeping a sharp eye out for exotic caulerpa. It spreads rapidly from dislodged fragments on currents and on boating and fishing equipment.  The message is to Look, don’t touch.

If you think you've spotted Caulerpa, note the location, take a photo and report it to Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66 or by completing the online reporting form at report.mpi.govt.nz

The WMP wishes to thank the huge network of people and sponsors involved in the movement to protect and regenerate Waiheke’s marine environment.  Particular thanks to Hauraki Gulf Forum, Logan Marine Projects, Ngāti Paoa ki Waiheke and Submerged Environmental for enabling high quality images of the exotic caulerpa to be collected so quickly. 

20 June 2023

Waiheke Kōura Dive Survey area increases within Rāhui zone.

In its third consecutive year, Waiheke Marine Project’s Kōura dive survey has surpassed last year's area and is on track for a record square metres total surveyed.

Seven diving days have been possible over the four weekends so far thanks to some of the most settled sea conditions seen this year. Volunteer divers have increased this year including graduates from the WMP Regen Dive programme. The goal this year was to increase transects over near shore reefs and boulders in the five survey zones and the early feedback from divers is that the number of Kōura has improved slightly over past years. The first two years of survey recorded twenty two and twenty three Kōura along Waiheke Island’s entire northern coast. In the spirit of the collaborative approach to regeneration and protection, Ngāti Manuhiri shared one of their skippered patrol craft alongside those from Waiheke & Aucklands boating community.

Of concern however was the discovery of a baited home-made cray pot inside the Rāhui area. The Rāhui and accompanying section 186A designation (Fisheries Act) protects Tipa/Scallops, Kūtai/Mussels, Kōura/Crayfish, Pāua/Abalone, and prevents their removal. Very near this craypot a packhorse Kōura showed signs of damage potentially from an attempted grab. The diver observed that this Kōura was missing three legs on the left hand side of the body and had both feelers / antenna removed.

“He pātaka kai mō ngā uri whakaheke. This is a food source for future generations. It is incredibly disappointing to hear of a deliberate breach of the Waiheke Rāhui and the 186A Temporary Closure enforced by MPI. We need to be extra vigilant in monitoring our moana space to ensure our taonga species survive. Kōura are functionally extinct, so those responsible need to be found and prosecuted” Herearoha Skipper (Ngāti Paoā Iwi Trust Chairperson)

Craig Thorburn (Waiheke Marine Project and Kelly Tarltons Marine Wildlife Trust) commented “what I am noticing is the level of buy-in we get from all our divers, once they see kōura living and using these near shore reef systems, they develop a strong desire to see the rahui continue to support these species. Understandably it feels even more upsetting when you see damaged animals, I know for me , my heart sank when I saw that individual , I am not sure it will survive, the juveniles were still hanging around it, but it is unlikely to offer any protection to them, increasing their vulnerability to predation on the reef.”

The Rāhui was laid by Ngāti Paoā on 31st January 2021 and extends one nautical mile around the entire coast. The area is regularly covered in these WMP Kōura dive surveys and project observation dives as well, so the incursion is certainly recent and is a breach of the Rāhui.

Anyone noticing activity that may breach the Rāhui is encouraged to phone 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24) to advise the location, to take photos and report these details in their contact with MPI/Fisheries NZ.

With the early survey results indicating that the Rahui is helping our very small numbers of Kōura recover, it is very important that the community work together to observe and maintain the integrity of this opportunity. In summer 2022, Fisheries New Zealand conducted on-water surveillance of the Rāhui area and we encourage them to continue.

The final weekend of diving saw damp skies with relatively calm seas leading to another successful survey conclusion.

Waiheke Marine Project will share the results publicly when completed and following analysis of the data.

https://www.waihekemarineproject.org/koura-survey-pipi

Spokespeople; Craig Thorburn 021 290 0667 and Leigh Takirau 021 136385

Underwater exotic Seaweed survey begins

Aiming to avoid an incursion of the exotic seaweed Caulerpa on our precious coast, Waiheke Marine Project and Ngāti Paoa ki Waiheke have collaborated with the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), Waiheke Local Board and Auckland Council Marine Biosecurity.

The goal is to form a Waiheke specific response to exotic Caulerpa to include an action plan customised for several incursion scenarios. Recreational and commercial boating communities around Aotea Great Barrier and Ahuahu Great Mercury Islands have already been impacted and this challenging situation is something we do not want to see extend throughout Tīkapa Moana - Hauraki Gulf.

As a step towards this goal, Waiheke Marine Project proposed ‘proof of concept’ underwater surveys using a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) with video capability. The first of two planned trial dives (made possible with support from the Hauraki Gulf Forum) was completed on 17th January 2023 in the Oneroa bay area during a rare weather window. Oneroa was chosen as the zone having a higher likelihood of seeing vessels returning from Aotea Great Barrier or Ahuahu Great Mercury Islands - anchoring as they return to the Waitemata after cruising or fishing.

Fortunately, no exotic Caulerpa was discovered during the day with the captured video footage providing useful insights into the condition of the seabed in the area and helping refine techniques for future surveys.

The ROV was operated by Jo and Jamie Logan of Logan Marine with the assistance of a crew

made up of Ngāti Paoa ki Waiheke’s Jeanine and Noa Clarkin, and Darleen Tana Hoff-Nielsen. “Getting out in front of any infestation is vital. We have the technology and capability, so we’ll step into our kaitiaki responsibility to appraise the situation locally and nip this early if it comes to that”, says Darleen.

The second trial survey is planned to take place on an additional Northern coast bay later in the boating season. Predominantly Northerly quarter winds in January have seen far fewer visiting craft which could help reduce the risk of the weed spreading by attaching to vessels or equipment - aside from the on-shore wind and current factors.

Earlier, because of the project's initiative, Biosecurity NZ’s exotic Caulerpa literature was given to the community attending Forest and Bird’s Arohatia Tīkapa Moana - Love the Gulf event held at Piritahi Marae in December 2022. Future plans include a presentation on this non-native seaweed to Ngāti Paoa ki Waiheke through Wananga and providing information to visiting boats as they arrive in the popular bays over summer. WMP encourages water users to subscribe to the Biosecurity NZ Caulerpa E newsletter.

Over the next weeks team members will be reviewing the ROV survey findings and reconnecting with MPI & Auckland Council to understand any learnings from a recent negative finding at nearby Orere Point, and from other Hauraki Gulf communities. An outbreak of this invasive pest would be devastating at any time, particularly whilst the Ngāti Paoa 4-species Rahui is in place and during this time of renewed energy for regenerating the marine environment around Waiheke.

See Weed? - chuck it straight back.

Caulerpa brachypus and Caulerpa parvifolia are invasive exotic seaweeds which are the subject of rahui and a Controlled Area Notice (CAN) for our neighbours Aotea Great Barrier Island and Ahuahu Great Mercury Island. It is possible that in Aotea’s case, the seaweed arrived up to two years ago now becoming widespread in three bays facing Waiheke.

The Waiheke Marine Project is a mana whenua and community project that began in April 2019, seeking to protect and regenerate the nearby marine environment through action based Kaitiakitanga.

www.waihekemarineproject.org

team@waihekemarineproject.org

Ends.

Waiheke Marine Project Submission on Draft Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan

2nd March 2023

The WMP core focus is to bring to life the nine commitments agreed at the 2020 Future Search event by 76 diverse voices of the Waiheke marine social system.  This WMP submission on the draft Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan  is provided through the lens of the nine commitments with at least 6 of these nine commitments being directly relevant to the draft Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan.

WMP supports the:

• Intent of ecosystems based fisheries management that is developed and implemented through collaboration.

• Commitment to greater mana whenua and regional participation in fisheries management.

• Intent to restore fisheries abundance at the stock level and within the Gulf through management strategies to address localised depletion.

• Acknowledgment that biomass population targets need revising with higher targets appropriate.

• Scope and commission of research to assess the impacts of forage fish (small pelagic species, such as pilchards) removals on the marine food chain in the Hauraki Gulf and Review the management settings of important forage species in FMA1.

• Co-development of a kina management plan, which will also address the environmental impacts of kina barrens.

• Implementation of  the NPOA-seabirds framework.

WMP submits that the proposal should:

• Not undertake the Trawl Corridors Project, instead all forms of bottom contact fishing within the marine park should be prohibited. This includes all trawling and dredging. The WMP supports a future where an abundant functioning ecosystem is able to support customary, recreational and commercial fishing to take place using low impact methods.

• Aim higher for biomass population targets of all fisheries to 50-60% of original biomass. The WMP is wholly focused on regenerating high functioning marine ecosystems that would benefit from management of most fish stocks at B50 and others at B60 or higher.

• Work to align the intention of addressing localised depletion with the currently not-fit-for-purpose Stock Assessment processes. Insufficient local data and the advice of local knowledge holders makes the stock assessment irrelevant at a local level.

• Also work to align the intention for ecosystem based fisheries management with the decisions for valuing and assessing stocks. The current drivers of only assessing fisheries stocks with a “demonstrated significant commercial or non-commercial potential” results in single species mis-management and does not embrace the ecosystem importance of all species nor does it honour and learn from the wisdom of mātauranga Māori.

• Change the fisheries indicator and monitoring framework (reference in 4.7 of the draft plan) process to be developed at a local scale by those directly engaging with and most impacted by localised depletion. WMP agrees there is a need for national alignment of local indicator and monitoring frameworks but this national activity should take place AFTER the local work.

• Direct the management action of 1.3.4 of co-developing a kina management plan to directly collaborate with local initiatives such as the WMP Kelp Gardeners Project.

• Take a more emergent approach that adapts to practices such as rāhui, regenerative projects and the recently MBIE $13million funded Pou Rāhui,pou tikanga, pou oranga project.

WMP notes that:

• The issues of localised depletion are exacerbated by the current management strategies of the central government.  Discussions and decisions about  data gathering, research analysis and stock assessment all take place at a spatial scale that is not relevant to local situations nor do they operate collaboratively with mana whenua and local knowledge holders.  Until the agencies of MPI and DOC acknowledge (refer box below for example) and change their operating approach, the intent of this Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan will remain challenging to implement.

• The Waiheke Marine Project has been operating marine care strategies that are directly addressing localised depletion issues for almost 3 years. Agencies such as MPI, Auckland Council and DOC have all requested access to WMP collected data that give valuable insights into the status of local marine ecosystems.

• Despite this credible way of embodying the Ahu Moana concept, to date the central government chooses to not invest or actively learn with the WMP as an Ahu Moana prototype.

A personal reflection on a Government endorsed process, raising concerns for 

I have experienced genuine transparent, collaborative partnership as part of the Waiheke Marine Project.  I have also experienced  window dressing, tick box process as part of the Fisheries Indicators working group. 

While both share high level aspirations for restoring well-being of functioning abundant ecosystems, one is genuine in open investigation for change while the other appears to distance the participants from the actual decisions which are increasingly clear to be more oriented to maintaining the status quo. The Fisheries Indicators process is shrouded in good sounding language and principles at unnecessary levels of complexity, with the chance of actual meaningful impact remaining elusive. 

My quandary is that to continue to participate or withdraw are equally meaningless as the process has been designed to roll on regardless, passing milestones and consultation stages towards implementation of a greatly compromised and ineffective response to the original sea change proposals.  By Matt von Sturmer

The Waiheke Marine Project supports the intent of the Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan to restore a healthy Hauraki Gulf and is very willing, as referred in section 6, subsection 3.4 of the draft plan, to work more closely with MPI, DOC and local authorities to bring the intentions to fruition.

Heoi anō, nā

Alice McSherry, Craig Thorburn, Dean Ogilvie, Grant Crawford, Jeanine Clarkin, Matt von Sturmer, Lindsay Jeffs and Tessa O’Shea   

Waiheke Marine Project Steering Group

Active prevention of the arrival of an Exotic Seaweed

Caulerpa brachypus and Caulerpa parvifolia are invasive exotic seaweeds which are the subject of rahui and a Controlled Area Notice (CAN) for our neighbours Aotea Great Barrier Island and Ahuahu Great Mercury Island. It is possible that in Aotea’s case, the seaweed arrived up to two years ago now becoming widespread in three bays facing Waiheke. 

Aiming to avoid an incursion on our precious coast Waiheke Marine Project and Ngāti Paoa ki Waiheke have been meeting with the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), Waiheke Local Board and Auckland Council Marine Biosecurity to form a Waiheke specific response to exotic caulerpa. Recreational and commercial boating communities have already been impacted and this challenging situation is something we do not want to see extend throughout Tīkapa Moana - Hauraki Gulf, so the need to collaborate is now.

These exotic Caulerpa can compete with and displace sea-life, can lead to changes to abundance of invertebrates and fish and dominate the seafloor as we are seeing in the Whangaparapara, Okupu and Tryphena areas. In doing our part to support the mahi of the affected community in these zones we at the same time don’t want to see the restrictions to anchoring and responsible fishing extend further.

Whilst it is considered challenging for this introduced pest to survive the depth of water the ocean currents to Waiheke it is possible given ideal warm damp conditions that it could survive on boat’s anchors, in anchor wells or on fishing gear.

Waihekes coast is in the first of a two year rāhui (Ngāti Paoa) on harvesting Tipa -Scallop, Kūtai - Mussels, Pāua and, Kōura-Crayfish with any restoration of abundance potentially negatively impacted by the arrival of a smothering exotic Caulerpa.

Waiheke Marine Project has a range of active sub-projects known as Pipi collectively aiming to regenerate Waiheke Island's marine environment through the use of action-based kaitiakitanga - guardianship. A key Pipi gathering momentum is the Regenerative Diving Programme which will build the diving capabilities and capacity of mana whenua and Waiheke locals. Through this Kaupapa the project will have an opportunity to contribute to the initial surveillance phase of a plan. Delivering improved diving abilities, on-island data collection, collation, monitoring this Pipi can make a practical and in-water contribution.

More opportunities to learn about identification, the threat and the seaweed's known behavior will be communicated over summer.  As a community who live within and care for our moana we can all be vigilant. We can encourage and practice keeping our boat hulls, anchors, anchor wells and fishing gear clean. If we spot either of these Caulerpa species we can take a photo, record the location and phone the Pest and Disease Hotline 0800 80 99 66 or online at MPI’s Exotic Pest and Disease portal. Most importantly we shouldn’t remove the weed from where we find it.

The Kōura were not simply hiding.

Last year's discovery of only twenty-three Kōura during the project's survey has been validated by repeating the mahi recently along Waiheke Island’s Northern Coast.

In what is planned to be an annual event the 105 volunteer divers and skippers registered to take part in this year’s survey.  Eighty-nine divers covered  an  10,000 square metres for a huge 2.8 Hectare total area. This year also saw the inclusion of graduates from the projects Regenerative Diving Training programme.  In their 56 transects over near shore reefs and boulders only twenty-two Kōura were seen – they were not simply hiding.

Conducted during the same May to June window and using identical methodology the survey determined that kōura are indeed rare on the reefs of Waiheke and what’s more, they are unable to perform their ecological role as a keystone species in a natural healthy reef ecosystem. With the reef ecosystem out of balance the importance of the current rāhui  for the four marine species is heavily underscored.

Project coordinator Te Ata Paul-Sumich observed that in the areas where kōura was found, they were far from abundant at less than one per five hundred square metres.

With seven years needed from the time a female releases her eggs to see a legal-size harvestable kōura, a long path is to be travelled before anything looking close to an abundant population can be envisaged. The current rāhui therefore creates a very special and unique opportunity to explore new ways of helping kōura populations recover so the community might have a chance to once again observe and recreationally experience such an important taonga. To this end the project is now considering how best to prepare for possible rewilding and the concept of relocating young kōura to Waiheke waters.

The survey results were presented recently to volunteer divers, boat skippers, land-based supporters, Mana whenua and the community at Kelly Tarltons Marinelife Aquarium and Piritahi Marae on Waiheke Island.

A panel of presenters comprised of Leigh Takirau, Craig Thorburn, Te Ata Paul-Sumich, Mallory Sea and Lucy Tukua concluding;

 “He manako te kōura i kore ai - wishing for the kōura doesn’t mean you are going to get it”.

The full survey results for both years are available on the Waiheke Marine Project website at

waihekemarineproject.org/kourasurvey

Ngāti Pāoa ki Waiheke - update March to May 2022

Ngāti Pāoa ki Waiheke summer and autumn update

Responsible Pet Ownership brochure launched

Help protect the birds and wildlife of Waiheke Island.

Waiheke Marine Project have recently supported W.I.S.C.A (Waiheke Island Society for the care of animals) in producing an updated Responsible Pet Ownership brochure. This has been distributed as an insert into the Waiheke Gulf News during May 2022.

Ngāti Pāoa ki Waiheke February 2022 update

Ngāti Pāoa ki Waiheke have been active over the summer spending time learning, exploring, and connecting with the moana, together as hapū and iwi.

News Release 17th January 2022

Steering Group respond to news of a Marine Reserve Proposal for part of Waiheke’s coast.

Marine protection and regeneration are desperately needed in Tīkapa Moana, the waters that surround and embrace Waiheke Island.  Decades of charting the degradation of the Gulf has taught us that the issues are complex and require collaborative solutions that have people deeply connecting with each other, the land, and the sea.  

Since April 2019, the Waiheke Marine Project (WMP) has taken up this challenge and is finding innovative ways to give effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and practice active partnership and collaboration built on mutual trust and respect. Many legislative and non-legislative tools are being employed so people’s behaviour works in favour of regenerating the mauri of Waiheke’s marine environment.  

Tangible, multiple reinforcing actions are underway across and around Waiheke Island that have been either catalysed or supported by the WMP.  These include:

•  the collaborative marine mural at Oneroa, 

• extension of Kelp Gardener activity at Enclosure Bay, 

• kōura/crayfish dive surveys to begin an innovative re-wilding kōura prototype, 

• several events for Ngāti Paoa to reconnect with Waiheke and the moana, 

• supporting Ngāti Paoa’s rāhui, 

• partnering in youth snorkelling programme over the summer, 

• regular meetings of fishers, developing confidence to pursue marine care initiatives

• development of a GIS based tool for tracking and monitoring marine care

and other actions that are beginning to implement the 9 commitments from the Future Search event in 2020. Many more actions are needed including land use changes and reducing the take of keystone species on the near shore reefs which are key to the overall goal of regenerating the reef systems’ ecologies. Everyone needs to contribute; young, old, resident, visitor, commercial and recreational - pushing as many buttons at the same time as we can to get the earliest regeneration of Waiheke’s marine environment. 

These actions show that the WMP is a developing model of change that is choice generating. It is guided and paced by Te Tiriti partnership and multiple ways of knowing that build on historical knowledge and lean into youth ideas. This collaborative approach is contemporary and innovative and calls on effective marine protection and regeneration tools.  One of the commitments from the Future Search event late in 2020 specifically focused on protection tools saying that:

Working together we will learn and discover how to bring ahu moana to life. We are committed to the use and enjoyment of our marine environment and to developing effective marine protection through exploring and using the best mechanisms including Rāhui and Marine Protected Areas.

There are multiple legal mechanisms or tools in the kete for marine protection. The fundamental challenges of pollution, climate change, fishing impacts, and sedimentation are all underpinned by human disconnectedness. It will take many mechanisms to reconnect humans with our regenerative role in the environment.

The recent formal application for a marine reserve off the north-east coast of Waiheke Island, from Hakaimango Point to Matiatia, by the refreshed and reorganised Friends of the Hauraki Gulf (FOHG) is using the 1971 Marine Reserves Act. Marine Reserves created under this Act are managed and administered by an under-resourced DOC for science and take the initiative and future goal setting out of the hands of mana whenua and local communities. 

While it is acknowledged that western science shows localised ecological benefits to Marine Reserves, contemporary communities are seeking better ways to achieve such ecological benefits that are more aligned with Tiriti partnership, active connection, and regeneration, and to be effective over a wider area.

The WMP steering group supports the intention for protection in a marine reserve proposal, yet believes the full suite of tools like mātaitai, taiapure, rāhui and High Protection Areas (HPA) as well as fisheries management options deserves consideration. The WMP applauds recent Government initiatives to overhaul conservation legislation that is not fit for purpose.  Exploring how to better utilise existing tools is a task for us all and one in line with the Protection Tools commitment. It is a task that will be guided and paced by Te Tiriti partnership.

Further the WMP recognises that the legal tools alone do not reconnect people and the moana. It is the actions that people take and the changes of behaviour that work in favour of long-term regeneration of Waiheke’s marine environment.

WMP Steering Group member, Dean Ogilvie of Ngāti Paoa says "We think back to the unity that was created at Future Search in 2020, and we remain committed to the 9 commitments that were unanimously agreed at that event. It's about partnership with the community, embracing mutual respect for each other, and supporting manawhenua connection and leadership."

The WMP encourages the many communities of interest in Waiheke’s marine future to participate in the 2 months of public consultation on the FOHG marine reserve proposal.  The preferred path forward is together, with understanding and respect. To find a path that encompasses all. To combine the thinking, the passion, the power of many to move forward as one, weaving a stronger whariki/mat that respects and sustains all in an accepting way. 

Ko te mea nui mo te whānau, hapū, iwi o te motu ki te mahi tahi ai tatou ki te hāpaitia.
Te mauri moana, mauri whenua, mauri tāngata.
Tuia ki runga, Tuia ki raro, Tuia ki roto, Tuia ki waho.
The celestial binding realm, Ranginui sky father, Papatūānuku earth mother - that which is within - Mauri, to that which surrounds all - wairua.

Committing to local Waiheke decision making and integrated management with mana whenua is the agreed WMP way to identify and implement the most effective mechanisms of protection and regeneration for Waiheke, including rāhui, mātaitai, taiāpure and other types of Marine Protected Areas.

News Release 29 November 2021

Award for Waiheke’s marine regeneration project.

On the 25th of November 2021, Waiheke Marine Project (WMP) were announced joint winners in the ‘Collaboration’ category in the Mayoral Conservation Awards, alongside Te Korowai Whenua Trust from Awhitu Peninsula.  Auckland Council runs the awards to acknowledge the significant effort made by mana whenua, communities, landowners, youth, and schools across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, to support our region’s nature to thrive.

Held by video link, around 80 people attended the awards that were judged by Councillor Pippa Coom (Waitematā and Gulf ward, and Deputy Chair, Environment and Climate Change Committee), Saffron Toms (Chair, Waitakere Ranges Local Board), Gavin Anderson (Ngaati Whanaunga) representing the I&ES Mana Whenua Kaitiaki Forum and Rebecca Rush (Department of Conservation Operations Manager, Tāmaki Makaurau District).

Accepting the Collaboration award on behalf of the Waiheke Marine Project was Jeanine Clarkin, Ian Burrows and Miranda Cassidy-O’Connell.

Jeanine thanked all those who are involved with the WMP, the judges and fellow award finalists and said “it is great to be in a position where the community both acknowledges and values mana whenua contribution and leadership. It is heartening to be doing this mahi alongside so many others caring and working for the improved health of Tīkapa Moana”

Ian said  “the project is about regeneration as well as protection and not just moana related as what goes on on the whenua affects the moana. There are so many actions underway such as expansion of the Kelp Gardeners mahi, the mural on the Dive Shop wall in Oneroa, exploring kōura rewilding that are all testimony to the power of collaboration.”

Miranda who is a self confessed collaboration geek said “Collaboration can be daunting so it is both inspiring and humbling to get this acknowledgement of the persistent effort by everybody to improve whole systems.”

The award is an indicator that taking a Tiriti guided, collaborative path is an effective way to reach enduring health outcomes for Waiheke’s marine environment.

Waiheke Marine Project would like to acknowledge other finalists including Waiheke’s Native Bird Rescue  in the Innovation award,  Te Korowai o Papatūānuku (Awhitu) the joint winners with WMP, Schools & Youth Award & Penny Hulse Supreme Award winners Aotea Great Barrier schools marine project and Innovation award winner The C.R.E.S.T Predator Free Franklin for the  mahi undertaken in their communities.

Waiheke Marine Project is a Mana Whenua and community led project which began in 2019 to protect and regenerate Waiheke’s marine environment. Support from G.I.F.T, WWF New Zealand and the Waiheke Local Board enabled phase two to commence in October 2021.

Waiheke ki uta, Waiheke ki tai, Waiheke ki tua ~ Waiheke here, to the sea and into the future

To learn more  about the project, and our marine environment please visit 

https://www.waihekemarineproject.org

Our project coordinators can be contacted by email;

team@waihekemarineproject.org

manawhenua@waihekemarineproject.org

News release 26 Oct 2021

The Waiheke Marine Project welcomes a refreshed Steering Group for Phase Two action to protect and regenerate Waiheke’s marine environment

Since hosting the three-day Future Search hui one year ago at Ahi Pao, to collectively answer the question “How do we protect and regenerate Waiheke’s marine environment”, the Waiheke Marine Project (WMP) has progressed well with its collaborative mana whenua and community partnership structure.  Phase Two of the WMP has recently begun with a three-year project plan for October 2021 to end September 2024 that has attracted cornerstone funding.

It was agreed that the increased activity and funding called for a larger and wider skill set in a Steering Group for this action-focused phase. Thus a call was put out on 8th October for applications to join the WMP Steering Group. A diverse panel ran an independent process to consider the high quality applications, and can now announce the refreshed WMP Steering Group as follows:

Alice McSherry, Craig Thorburn, Dean Ogilvie, Grant Crawford, Jeanine Clarkin, Lindsay Jeffs, Matt von Sturmer and Tessa O’Shea

This eight person Steering Group has an impressive range of experience, skills, knowledge and networks to guide the next three years of marine-care action. Most importantly the refreshed Steering Group has the mindset and commitment to bring the WMP principles to life. More details on the members can be found on the WMP website-www.waihekemarineproject.org 

We wish to also say a massive thank you to the Steering Group for Phase One of the project. In particular to Kerrin Leoni and Ian Burrows who have been a reliable backbone of positivity, wisdom and strength.  They attest that a lot of hard mahi has gone into getting the WMP from ideas to foundation level and now partially funded and bubbling with energy. 

Ian says that "It has been a privilege to be involved since the beginning of this amazing collaboration with Mana whenua and the community at the cutting edge of what is ‘Ahu Moana’. As Chair of the Hauraki Gulf Conservation Trust we have, for many years, been looking at how we could help the state of the Gulf and I am convinced the WMP is the way to do it. Unfortunately I have to step down for health reasons and fight some other battles. In the meantime the WMP continues in safe and refreshed hands.”

Kerrin says “Nga Mihi Mahana to all the new steering group members and those working on the project. It’s great to see some fresh new voices, as well as previous members who will continue to grow and develop the project going forward. Ka mau te wehi nga kaitiaki o te moana!

In the last few months the WMP has supported and catalysed multiple reinforcing activities. There have been three open hui since June focusing on the creation of the backbone and work programme, a marine mural is going up on the wall of the Waiheke Dive Shop and numerous collaborative initiatives are underway. These include supporting youth marine engagement with the Marine Education Initiative from WRT, kororā care with WWF, project tracking design with Sustainable Seas, ongoing conversations with the fishing club, boating club, land interests and a number of species-focused regeneration projects. 

With multiple projects and collaborations underway the momentum of Phase Two is already present and the refreshed WMP Steering Group will bring their best to the future of Waiheke’s marine environment.

For more information on the Waiheke Marine Project, see www.waihekemarineproject.org

Media enquiries:Miranda Cassidy-O’Connell, Navigator for the Waiheke Marine Project 021 345056

News release 22nd June 2021

The Waiheke Marine Project welcomes Government announcement on Sea Change – Tai Timu Tai Pari Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan

The Waiheke Marine Project is well aware of the nested place that Waiheke Island holds in Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi, with activity in the Gulf directly impacting Waiheke and vice versa. The significance of the Waiheke Marine Project was recently acknowledged at the 24th May meeting of the Hauraki Gulf Forum.  Here the Hauraki Gulf Forum unanimously endorsed the work of the project and the 9 commitments to protect and regenerate Waiheke’s marine environment. 

These 9 commitments that were agreed to by 76 diverse voices at the Waiheke Marine Project’s Future Search hui late last year are fully complementary to the original Sea Change plan that was delivered in 2016.  Like Sea Change; the Waiheke Marine Project is focused on issues of fisheries management, habitat restoration, aquaculture, marine biosecurity, marine protection, protected species and Ahu Moana (mana whenua and local community management of local areas).

While the Government has been fine tuning its strategy to implement Sea Change; those dealing with the marine crisis on their doorsteps are doing what they can to practically respond. As noted by World Wildlife Fund in their press release on the 21st June, “ iwi and community groups such as Ngāti Paoa and the Waiheke Marine Project, The Noises Marine Restoration Project, Ngāti Hei and Revive our Gulf, have valiantly stepped into the gap left by Government inaction.”

The Waiheke Marine Project now requests the Government to wrap around the ‘valiant efforts’ of the project and our neighbours in Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi. With Government resources and commitment to ease the dysfunctional legislation governing our oceans, ground-up action can indeed turn the tide towards thriving oceans.

Although the Government Response strategy currently does not identify Waiheke Island as one of its sites for Marine Protected Areas, we are hopeful that this will be quickly remedied in the collaborative implementation of Sea Change. The Waiheke Marine Project is already collaborating in implementing its 9 commitments and welcomes the super charge that Government support will bring to its efforts.

For more information on the Waiheke Marine Project, see www.waihekemarineproject.org

Ends.

Media enquiries:

Miranda Cassidy-O’Connell, Navigator for the Waiheke Marine Project

phone 021 345056

Counting the kōura ~ crayfish

The ‘Protection and Regeneration’ conversation