Kiteboarders told to stop disturbing birds

Ruakaka kiteboarders says they are being unfairly targeted by conservationists and the local council. Photo / Northern Advocate

A spat between Ruakaka kiteboarders and conservationists has intensified after the Northland Regional Council became involved.

Kiteboard maker and instructor David Kay has been warned he could face prosecution after being seen disturbing birds at the Ruakaka Wildlife Refuge. The council has told Mr Kay that he and other kiteboarders should stay away from the location.

Mr Kay said he was shocked to receive a letter from the council telling him he and two other kiteboarders had breached the 1953 Wildlife Act and the council's Coastal Plan.

Mr Kay claims his sport has been unfairly targeted and the council has been drawn into a clash between kiteboarders and local conservationists.

A member of the public used the council's environmental hotline to report board riders disturbing birds on January 8.

Coastal programme manager Jacquie Reed had visited the estuary after the call.

In a subsequent letter to Mr Kay, she said she saw three kiteboarders surfing in the wildlife refuge. Two flew directly over nesting sites, causing the birds to take to the air.

Mr Kay says the authorities will face a fight if they try to ban kiteboarding in the area.

He said the whole concept of coastal recreational activities might have to be redefined if the terms outlined in the council's letter were to apply to every coastal activity.

If kiteboarding were to go because birds were being disturbed, so must walking, kayaking, boating and surfing.

Ruakaka had about 25 days when kiteboarding conditions were at their best - "As good as you'll get anywhere in the world", Mr Kay said.

He said he was not prepared to forgo those days.

The Sunday when the complaint was made was the first time local boarders had been at the estuary in two months.

The council letter he received said DoC also considered kiteboarding disturbed the birds' breeding, roosting and feeding. Department of Conservation Whangarei area manager Sue Reed told the Northern Advocate last year of significant challenges in trying to balance the protection of wildlife and habitats with acceptable recreational use.

A survey by DoC scientist Andrew Beauchamp in March 2009 found bird disturbances were also caused by walkers, swimmers, boat users, jet skiers, windsurfers, horse riders and fishermen.