Protecting the Manukau Harbour
The Manukau Harbour Forum welcomes an increasing focus on the Manukau Harbour as some high profile projects are completed and announced, including the Onehunga foreshore project, which officially opened to the public on Saturday 14 November.
“Our aim is to see the harbour restored to well-being,” says Manukau Harbour Forum Jill Naysmith.
“Ultimately, when more Aucklanders start to visit, use and value the harbour, it will become so much more appreciated.”
“The improvements at Onehunga, which make it more accessible and enjoyable to visit, will make a major difference in this part of the harbour.”
Read more about the Onehunga Foreshore.
Onehunga Wharf development holds promise
The forum is also encouraged by discussions on the Onehunga Wharf area, and the potential for it to be transformed and rejuvenated as a public precinct.
Events planned
Events planned by the environmental organisation Sustainable Coastlines, and Seaweek, will also place focus on the Manukau Harbour in early 2016.
New Zealand's second-largest harbour
The Manukau Harbour is the second-largest harbour in New Zealand, and has 520km of coastline. The new Onehunga foreshore joins beaches and attractions such as Ambury Farm Park, Blockhouse Bay Beach Reserve, French Bay, Cornwallis, Huia, Clarks Beach, and Awhitū Regional Park.
“The Manukau is a very special natural taonga, a real treasure,” says Jill Naysmith. “But it is challenged by Auckland’s growth. Cohesive and sustained action is now required to restore it to health, and to protect it for the future.”
Find out more about the Manukau Harbour Forum
The Manukau Harbour Forum is a committee of nine local boards that surround the harbour. The forum’s most significant project to date is the scoping plan for a hydrodynamic modelling study. This will provide a greater understanding of the integration between land and harbour, and ultimately help to identify sources of sediments and contaminants that enter the harbour, as well as other factors, so that they can be remedied.
More information about the Manukau Harbour Forum.
