AusLeisure

Greater Wellington is urging people to join a conversation about the future of its regional parks network through getting involved in consultation on its draft Toitū Te Whenua Parks Network Plan, 2020-2030.

The plan, which will provide a blueprint for the development of Greater Wellington’s network of eight regional parks until 2030, focuses on three key areas: recreation, conservation and community participation in parks restoration and development.

Inviting public input, Wellington Regional Councillor and Parks Portfolio Lead Councillor Prue Lamason, advised “this is very much a community owned plan. As part of its development, two years ago we asked the community what it loved and wanted from regional parks.

"The response, from the more than 350 people and organisations that spoke to us, was loud and clear: they loved having a wide range of landscapes across the network, and wanted strong management of the natural environment, active control of pest plants and animals that threaten habitats and easy, all year public access to and within parks.

"Our new draft Toitū Te Whenua Parks Network Plan contains all that and more. We have listened to and incorporated public feedback and now want peoples’ views on how we’ve done."

The plan’s vision of ‘restoring healthy ecosystems for the benefit of people and nature’ resonates with the new name for the plan, which means ‘the land remains’, it’s enduring.

Councillor Lamason noted “to be good custodians we must put care of the land first and foremost. This in turn means people can thrive and share the benefits of working together through restoration work. He waka eke noa, we’re all in this together, moving forward.”

The core goals at the centre of its proposals relate to building positive partnerships with mana whenua, working closely with community groups to get things done, valuing cultural heritage features and landscapes, enhancing the recreational experience, protecting and restoring our natural heritage and managing parks sustainably in the face of climate change.

Setting and meeting clear goals is important as, since the last plan was developed in 2011, new challenges to the network have emerged.

The community is now far more aware of the importance of conservation and restoration. The climate is changing more rapidly than predicted and severe weather events have damaged parks. Opportunities for greenhouse gas sequestration in parks have been identified. Recreation activities have diversified and some, such as cycling and running, have exploded in popularity and need to be catered for.

Councillor Lamason added "the plan addresses each of these issues and clearly spells out how we will approach them in creating a regional parks network that will be fit for the future.

"Nothing stands still. While our eight regional parks may appear to quietly follow the rules of nature, the reality is that their ongoing health and the attractions they offer are closely planned and managed in active partnership with Iwi, friends groups and our many volunteers."

The plan is a composite statutory management plan for eight Regional Parks totalling approximately 33,000 Hectares of public land: Akatarawa Forest; Battle Hill Farm Forest Park; Belmont Regional Park; East Harbour Regional Park; Kaitoke Regional Park; Pakuratahi Forest; Queen Elizabeth Park and Wainuiomata Recreation Area.

Once the plan is finalised, detailed Master Plans will be developed for selected parks, setting out how they will be managed over the next decade.

For more information go to www.gw.govt.nz/parks-network-plan/

Image: Belmont Regional Park (top, courtesy of Tourism New Zealand) and East Harbour Regional Park (below, courtesy of Wellington Regional Trails).

Related Articles

26th May 2020 - Wellington City Council offers free ground and venue hire for sport and recreation groups

24th April 2020 - Building work set to recommence on key Wellington venues

15th April 2020 - Nature key to New Zealand’s post Coronavirus recovery

16th February 2020 - Wellington’s Round the Bays event eliminates plastic bottles

6th February 2020 - Zealandia marks World Wetlands Day

21st December 2019 - Wellington Gardens achieve CarbonZero certification

14th October 2019 - Wellington City Council consultation sees playgrounds transition to play spaces

7th October 2019 - Wellington crowned New Zealand’s most creative place for third straight year

7th August 2019 - Wellington named New Zealand’s fittest city

22nd January 2019 - New walking trail opens in Wellington National Park

4th June 2018 - Wellington attractions welcome rising visitor numbers

19th April 2018 - Wellington City Council release concept for innovative new playground

29th November 2017 - Major restoration project planned for Wellington’s Queen Elizabeth Park

17th October 2017 - Wellington region looks to benefits from trail network integration

27th January 2016 - Te Ara o Whareroa cycle trail gets official opening

11th March 2015 - New Zealand Park agencies set strategic direction

22nd January 2015 - Forum to examine future needs in New Zealand parks management

21st December 2014 - NZRA highlights the value of council recreation investment

2nd March 2013 - Wellingtonians encouraged to ‘Get Healthy by Nature’ through Parks Week

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.