Government catches up to gulf conservation volunteers

The Government will spend "millions of dollars" developing the Hauraki Gulf islands as centres of conservation and tourism.

Details of "Project Hauraki" will be announced today by Prime Minister Helen Clark and Conservation Minister Chris Carter at a special function on Kaikoura Island to hand control of the outer gulf island over to the Motu Kaikoura Trust.

The four-year project will pay for pest eradication, track development, signage and other improvements on seven gulf islands.

It is expected that one of the first grants will go to Kaikoura Island to pay for a basic track network and for the removal of fallow deer, which is seen as a key to ecological restoration on the island.

The establishment of Project Hauraki follows growing criticism from environmentalists of Government inaction since the passing of the 2000 Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act. Recently, Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee despaired that there was not even a sign board to be seen proclaiming the marine park's existence.

Government sources say the new project acknowledges the exceptional conservation and visitor significance of the gulf and a desire "to step up to the plate" and partner the efforts of the numerous trusts and volunteer organisations working on the islands.

Today's ceremony comes a year to the day after the Government bought the 564ha island for $10.5 million to save it from falling into foreign ownership. ASB trusts contributed $2 million and local authorities a further $500,000.

Nurseryman Geoff Davidson, a trustee of the Native Forests Restoration Trust which launched the campaign to buy Kaikoura, is to chair the new Motu Kaikoura Trust.

His plans are simple: "Find some money, restore the island to health and establish an education camp for youth."

He envisages the youth camp combining outdoor pursuits like kayaking and abseiling with environmental activities.

"DoC is the owner and we have been appointed to manage and control, so it's a different relationship from any of the other island supporter groups. We will be working pretty much independently of DoC, albeit under their watchful eye."