First Order Marine Ecological Assessment Te Awa O Whatapaka
eCoast was commissioned by Ngati Tamaoho Trust to undertake a marine survey that described the value of the existing marine environment.
eCoast was commissioned by Ngati Tamaoho Trust to undertake a marine survey that described the value of the existing marine environment in the context of Manukau Harbour and the important of the area to the local Hapu and to encapsulate the mana of Te Awa O Whatapaka. The iwi/trust was concerned that the plan change by Auckland Council (AC) would put further pressure on the creek due to increased sediment run-off and increased wastewater input - previously, Frankton District Council recognised that development was not a good fit to the area. The investigation confirmed that the area is of ecological significant and have been degraded by the development and land use activities of the wider Manukau Harbour and that further development would increase degradation. Irrespective of any development , several key restoration initiatives seen as paramount for restoring mauri to the Whatapaka Awa and wider inlet were established within the Whatapaka Marae Kaitiaki.
