Crusader plans to maintain harbour's serenity

Malcolm Whitaker has been a driving force behind the Ohiwa Harbour development strategy. Picture / Alan Gibson

Malcolm Whitaker has lived at Ohiwa Harbour for 23 years, drawn to the picturesque spot south of Whakatane by the water and lush vegetation.

"You see things like banana trees and hibiscus trees," he says. "I realised it had a really nice climate."

In the years since, the 59-year-old osteopath and naturopath has developed a deep passion for the area and is determined to protect it from the sprawling, intensive developments of coastal regions to the north.

Five years ago, as an Environment Bay of Plenty councillor, he proposed a strategy to manage the harbour's development.

Now, with apartment complexes being built on the last of the residential land on the western, Ohope Beach side of the harbour, the draft is ready for public consultation.

"It's been a long time getting here, but I'm happy it's got to this stage," Mr Whitaker said yesterday.

The strategy aims to protect the harbour and surrounding area amid growing pressure on land.

In the last 10 years, the population has grown faster than the rest of the Bay of Plenty, increasing 22 per cent between 1996 and 2001, compared to the region's 7 per cent.

Property prices have risen and many houses on the Ohope spit now surpass the million-dollar mark.

The eastern side of Ohiwa Harbour remains rural, but lifestyle blocks are beginning to sell and suburban development is a strong possibility.

"There's very little development left on the spit," Mr Whitaker said. "When the pressure comes on that, people will be looking elsewhere."

But Mr Whitaker believes the harbour and its surrounds are unsuitable for high-density housing developments, such as those in Tauranga and Papamoa, saying the environment is unique and worthy of preservation.

The draft strategy, developed by Environment Bay of Plenty with other councils and iwi, also says the area has "significant conservation value".

Water quality in the harbour is considered good because of a unique ecosystem that flushes most water out of the estuary in just one or two tides.

But the strategy says natural events, including severe floods in 2004, and human activities are increasing sedimentation and threatening the water's purity.

"The pressure for residential developments combined with existing farming practices within the catchment creates concerns for the health of the estuary," the draft says.

Overfishing and maintaining the area's cultural significance are other issues raised.

The area is home to 91 pa sites, one estimated to be as old as 700 years, and is a major shellfish-gathering ground for Maori.

The strategy promotes the development of an iwi planning document for the harbour and aims to address community concerns about public access if large-scale private/residential developments occur.

The draft was developed by Environment Bay of Plenty (the regional council), Opotiki District Council, Whakatane District Council and Environment Ngati Awa, working alongside other iwi groups.

A series of information sessions on the draft are scheduled from Monday and the public has until December 15 to make submissions.

Mr Whitaker hopes the community will agree to a sensible approach of "well-managed development" for Ohiwa Harbour.

"Like any area in New Zealand, we've got to provide for future generations."


Ohiwa Harbour

* Covers 26sq km
* Formed 6000 years ago
* Protected by two sand spits, 6km long on the west (Ohope) and 900m on the east (Ohiwa)
* The harbour has 10 islands and is a catchment for 12 major streams and the Nukuhou River
* The catchment starts 35km inland, covers 170sq km and includes land used for forestry, farming, horticulture, lifestyle blocks and residential living
* 3500 people live in the catchment and 2000 in residential areas at Ohiwa, Kutarere and Ohope
* Ngati Awa, Upokorehe, Whakatohea, Tuhoe are among the iwi with cultural ties to the harbour
* Source: Environment Bay of Plenty