Park-specific management and policies Queen Elizabeth Park Elizabeth Park Queen Queen

6.7 Queen Elizabeth Park pa areas occupied by Māori and Ngāti Toa Rangātira who retain mana whenua over 6.7.1 Legal status the lands.

Title held: Department of The history of both Queen Elizabeth and Conservation (Greater Whareroa is intertwined. European settlers Wellington appointed began clearing the forests and draining to control and manage) the wetlands for farming in the mid-1850s. Legislative status: Administered under During World War II the park’s sandy beach Local Government Act and rural surrounds were an ideal training 2002, the whole park is ground for American troops preparing to fight recreation reserve under in the Pacific. From June 1942 to November the Reserves Act 1977. 1943 a total of 20,000 US Marines were housed at the park in three army camps. Territorial Authority: Kapiti Coast District Council Camp Russell was built near the MacKay’s Crossing entrance, Camp Paekakariki on The land is held under the Reserves Act 1977 what is now the southern entrance, and Camp as recreation reserve by the Crown, with MacKay over State Highway 1 on the present Greater Wellington appointed to control day Whareroa Farm. After World War II the and manage. land was acquired as a park and named after Queen Elizabeth II. From 1953 the Queen Refer to Appendix 2 for a legal description Elizabeth Park Board managed the park and of land parcels. during the 1950-60s recreational facilities were 6.7.2 Background developed, including the motor camp and tramways museum. In 1990 management was 21 Queen Elizabeth Park is located on the Kapiti passed to Greater Wellington. Coast between Paekakariki and Raumati, 40 kilometres north of Wellington city. It sits Later, other buildings were moved to the on the seaward side of the Whareroa Farm MacKay’s entrance, including the historic (currently managed by the Department of barn and other built structures, which provide Conservation). The park’s 638 hectares are a hub for family activity. predominately farmland and dunes ‑ one Tangata whenua of the area are Ngāti Toa of the Kapiti Coast’s last areas where the Rangatira. A number of hapu of Te Ati Awa complete dune system (from beach to the ki Whakarongotai previously lived in the inland dunes) is intact and undeveloped. Whareroa area to the north. The eastern length of the park is adjacent to State Highway 1 and is currently farmed. The remaining kahikatea bush remnant and wetland areas at the MacKay’s Crossing are Queen Elizabeth Park is an area rich in being gradually restored. The community history. Māori lived here for hundreds of also is involved with planting and enhancing years with major settlements at Wainui and the now rare coastal habitats. Spinifex, Whareroa until the late 19th century. The area pingao and shore bindweed feature in the was a significant wetland with waterways foredunes, while the backdunes – which that were canoed by Māori. The area that is are less vulnerable to sand drift – support now Queen Elizabeth Park includes several muehlenbeckia, taupata, harakeke (flax) and bracken. There is a huge variety of birds in 21 The naming of Queen Elizabeth Park occurred after the the area, both coastal species and those that death of George VI and prior to the coronation of Queen are at home in the mahoe, kawakawa and Elizabeth II, hence the omission of “Second” from the name. kaikomako trees within the bush remnants.

PARKS NETWORK PLAN JULY 2011 85 Whareroa farm (managed by the Department People of Conservation) and Queen Elizabeth Park • Recent history of European occupation, were managed as one unit by the Lands and early settlement, farming, military camps Survey Department during the 1950s to 1970s. • Significant occupation site for local Māori Management of Queen Elizabeth Park was with associated features, including pa transferred to Kapiti Coast District Council and middens before being transferred to Greater Wellington • Historic tramway from MacKay’s Crossing in the mid 1990s. to Whareroa Beach The park is particularly popular during the • Wide range of recreational opportunities, summer months for picnicking, swimming including walking, swimming, and beach activities. The park hosts festivals picnicking, bicycle rides, camping and equestrian events and provides a range of and community events all season cycling opportunities for commuters • Historic and current links through to and recreational cyclists. The Tramways Whareroa farm (which is managed by Museum and horse riding attracts people to Department of Conservation) the MacKay’s entrance where the park ranger • Horse riding and associated events is based. Facilities are provided at the southern end of the park (Paekakariki), at MacKay’s • Significant sites for community Crossing and at Whareroa on the coast. restoration projects Friends of Queen Elizabeth Park and other • Coastal setting of a tranquil nature. local community groups are actively involved in environmental restoration on the park. 6.7.4 Management focus The focus for Queen Elizabeth Park is to: For more information refer to the resource statement documents. 1. Preserve the coastal ecosystems, dunes, wetlands and bush remnant 6.7.3 Key park characteristics 2. Implement a sustainable farm management Land plan and continue farming operations to manage open space where appropriate • An intact coastal dune system and bush 3. Provide family recreational opportunities remnant 4. Make provisions for a heritage precinct • Ecological links through Whareroa and associated visitor attractions Farm to Akatarawa Forest Park (sea to mountain connection) 5. Recognise the historical occupation of the area by both European settlers and Māori • In-stream values of Whareroa and Wainui streams and associated 6. Re-evaluate future land management wetlands catchments of the north-eastern area of the park that may be affected by any expressway • Farmed rural environment with open development space values 7. Work with the Department of Conservation • Restoration plantings in wetlands, dune to integrate management processes, where areas and bush remnant. appropriate, between Queen Elizabeth Park and Whareroa Farm.

86 PARKS NETWORK PLAN JULY 2011 6.7.5 Specific policies Land management

Biodiversity and ecosystems g. To recognise existing legal easements for gas pipelines across the park, work a. To have particular regard for the high permits will be obtained and notice given priority indigenous areas and links at least 72 hours prior to the Natural Gas with Whareroa Farm when determining Corporation (Transmission), with 24 hours ecosystem protection and enhancement prior notice for on-site locations. Two days priorities as listed in Table 8. prior notice for work permits will be given b. To restore the coastal dunes and native to Gas Direct. forest remnants with plants sourced from h. To use the area as a site for Civil Defence the Foxton Ecological District. emergencies of regional or national Landscape and geological features significance. i. To carry out all activities associated with c. To protect the park’s key landscape the disturbance, disposal, removal and features and values from inappropriate use recording of World War II Ordnances, in and development, specifically: accordance with operating procedures. • The beach from Raumati to Paekakariki • The Whareroa dune complex Visitor services • All wetlands and streams j. To manage MacKay’s Crossing and • The modified landscapes of Whareroa Wellington Road (Paekakariki) as the main and Wainui pa. park entrances. d. To advocate for the protection of the k. To manage the following as secondary following significant geological features entrances: which contribute to the landscape • Tilley Road (Paekakariki) experience of Queen Elizabeth Park: • The Esplanade, Rainbow Court, and • Kapiti Island McKenzie Road (Raumati South). • Te Ramoroa fan l. To maintain the following memorials: • MacKay’s Crossing sea cliff. Queen Elizabeth Park Board memorial at Wainui Pa Cultural heritage • The three kahikatea trees planted in e. To protect significant cultural heritage 2002 to remember Queen Elizabeth, values and features relating to Māori, the Queen Mother early European settlers, and WWII US Marine occupation. • The MacKay’s Crossing gates in remembrance of WWII Marines f. To recognise the following cultural heritage sites, and to develop and • The commemorative plaque at MacKay’s implement conservation plans Crossing interpretation panels. where applicable: Partnership in parks • Wainui Pa and Whareroa Pa m. To consult and/or involve Tangata • United States Marine camps Whenua in the following: • Budge House (ranger’s residence) • Any Resource Management Act • MacKay’s Crossing Stables (listed as planning matters barn – horse stables under the Kapiti • Commercial proposals within the Coast District Council District Plan) Queen Elizabeth Park • Tramway Museum.

PARKS NETWORK PLAN JULY 2011 87 • The approval process for the use q. To work with Kapiti Coast District Council or removal of natural materials for to develop links and cycle ways that commercial purposes. incorporate tracks within Queen Elizabeth n. To recognise Ngāti Toa Rangatira’s Park, where appropriate. relationship to the park through r. To support the partnership with Friends supporting the vesting of the Wainui of Queen Elizabeth Park in meeting the urupa land, and the joint protection and outcomes of this plan. management of this site. s. To ensure that any new partnerships o. To recognise Te Ati Awa Ki Whakarongotai contribute to advocacy, restoration to enable them to exercise their role as or education outcomes for Queen kaitiaki over sites of significance and in Elizabeth Park. particular Whareroa Pa site in developing: t. To liaise with the Department of • A management and maintenance Conservation with regards to joint programme for the protection of the site promotion of Whareroa and Queen • Development of a concept plan including Elizabeth Park. options for restoring or creating a replica u. To work with Department of Conservation in of the Whareroa Pa site. managing linkages, including conservation, p. To liaise with, in regards to decision heritage and recreation between Whareroa making, Kapiti Coast District Council and Queen Elizabeth Park. and the Department of Conservation, on the management and use of the land to provide an integrated approach to environmental management programmes and recreational activities.

88 PARKS NETWORK PLAN JULY 2011 Table 8 ‑ Significant indigenous environmental areas and features ‑ Queen Elizabeth Park

Area Description Reasons for significance

Coastal and Unmodified regenerating coastal The dunes in the park are examples of a once Inland Dunes foredunes adjacent to beach far more extensive system, containing valuable representation of geological, vegetative and faunal data of the area.

Consolidated inland foredunes Listed in Kapiti Coast District Council District Plan as site of ecological and geological significance). Plant communities listed in Regional Plant Strategy (Department of Conservation) as being “of considerable conservation concern”.

Wetlands: All wetlands Provides habitat for birds, fish, frogs, MacKay’s Crossing Cluster of approximately invertebrate and wetland plant communities. 20 hectares of ponding wetlands (Mentioned in Greater Wellington Wetland in an ephemeral wetland system Action Plan as sites for future consideration.)

Poplar Avenue Wetland, fenced and regenerating in the northern end of the park

Wainui wetland Small recently rehabilitated wetland adjacent to Wainui Stream in the south of the park

Streams: Wainui Flows through southern end Wainui and Whareoa streams both provide of the park, reasonably significant habitat for freshwater fish unmodified with little erosion and invertebrates and in particular giant and high water flow kokopu, long-finned eel and koura (listed as “gradual decline” in the New Zealand Threat Classification System). Whareroa Flows through the northern end Provides spawning ground for inanga of the park, highly modified at river mouth. catchment, meanders at river mouth through native coastal vegetation

Kahikatea Approximately 1 hectare of Extremely rare kahikatea forest remnant (one of remnant forest kahikatea remnant adjacent two remnants that remain on the Kapiti Coast). to wetlands in the MacKay’s The remnant is dominated by kahikatea Crossing wetland system and pukatea, with some tawa, swamp maire and matai. Listed in Kapiti Coast District Council District Plan as site of ecological significance.

PARKS NETWORK PLAN JULY 2011 89 6.7.6 Projected changes • Work with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and other agencies to Refer to Map 17 (following pages). maximise recreational opportunities from • Undertake ecological restoration in any proposed roading developments by conjunction with community groups at the NZTA. following locations: • Poplar Avenue wetlands (Raumati 6.7.7 Park maps South) and Whareroa Stream The following pages contain: • The coastal dune formation along the • Map 16: Queen Elizabeth Park in 2010 length of the park for erosion control and to restore habitat • Map 17: Queen Elizabeth Park projected future changes. • Forest remnant extension/wetland restoration. For more Information • Provide for managed shoreline retreat. Wetlands Action Plan (Greater Wellington, 2003) • Develop walking and cycling links to Whareroa Farm in conjunction with the Pest Plant Control Plan for Queen Elizabeth Park Department of Conservation. Kapiti Coast: Choosing Futures (Kapiti Coast • Develop and implement the District Council, 2006) recommendations of the sustainable farm management plan, including investigating Queen Elizabeth Regional Park Resource Statement potential for wetland reversion to the (Greater Wellington, 2007) north of MacKay’s Crossing visitors’ area. Wellington Regional Civil Defence Emergency • Develop Wainui, Whareroa and Management Group Plan particularly MacKay’s as the main focal points for visitor activity. Parks and Forests Standard Operating Procedures – Earthworks and Buried Ordnance in Queen • Make provision for a heritage precinct Elizabeth Park which contains facilities and activities that are family friendly and focused on Queen Elizabeth Park Cycling Concept Plan heritage. (The Kennett Brothers, 2008) • Develop a secondary entrance at Poplar Restoration and Re-vegetation sites in Queen Avenue. Elizabeth Regional Park (Susan Forbes, Kotuku • Investigate neighbourhood park for local Consulting, 2005) use at Paekakariki in conjunction with Kapiti Coast District Council. Five Year restoration plan for QE Park foredunes • Work with community groups and other (Harley & Bergin 2010) agencies to implement a cycle plan to link Contaminated sites assessment Raumati South and Paekakariki, providing (Montgomery Watson, 2001) better opportunities both for commuter and family friendly recreational cycling. Mackays Crossing Wetlands: hydrogeological study • Identify and develop access links for and evaluation of welands restoration proposal non-motorised recreation to Whareroa (Phreatos Groundwater Consulting, 2001) Farm (Department of Conservation) and Popular Avenue wetland revegetation plan: Akatarawa Forest. Raumati South (Wildland Consultants 2009) • Name the new shared tracks in the park: Yankee Trail, and Te Ara O Tipapa (refer to Restoration and Revegetation Sites in QEP future changes park map). (Carson, 2009)

90 PARKS NETWORK PLAN JULY 2011 QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK in 2010 Paekakariki

Natural Features

Surf Natural vegetation Club Wainui Stream 0 0.5 1 km Plantation forest Pasture / grass

Motor Wainui Pa Sandhills Camp Weaving Rivers and streams Group Natural and man made ponds

Railway Whareroa Stream Park Facilities: General

State Highway 1 Highway State Southern grazing Major Entrance with sign Licence Equestrian Minor Entrance with map board Club Whareroa Pa Raumati Activity Centre has: Remnant South forest Model Information displays Plane Car park Tram Club lines Picnic area Swamp Toilets (DOC) Pony Leases and Licences Club Stables MacKays Horse riding Crossing Heritage feature Gates Licence Poplar Ave PARKS NETWORK PLANJULY2011 Whareroa Farm Wetland (DOC) Northern grazing License Pony Tramways Club Park Facilities: Tracks Museum Shared track (refer to Rules)

Walking track

Other Features Valley Rd Public Road Coastal Escarpment Tramline (KCDC) Buildings

Public Reserves (external to park) 91 QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK -

92 Projected future changes To be read in conjunction with 2010 map

PARKS NETWORK PLANJULY2011 Paekakariki Ecology

1ProjectsForest with Remnant committed extention funding/ Wainui wetland restoration Stream 0 0.5 1 km 2 Poplar St wetland revegetation 1 Coastal dunes revegetation 3 Raumati, Whareroa Stream, 3 Paekakariki, Wainui Whareroa Stream riparian 4 revegetation B Railway Whareroa 5 Managed retreat of shoreline 3 Stream

State Highway 1 Highway State Extent of project 1 A C 3 5 Raumati Ecological links South 1 3 1 Recreation D Swamp Projects without committed funding (DOC) 1 Develop cycleway linking Paekakariki A and Raumati 4 A B Potential neighbourhood park MacKays 2 Crossing C “Yankee Trail” as new name for track Whareroa Farm 2 “Te Ara o Tipapa” as new name for (DOC) E Strengthen link D walking track to Paraparaumu Enhance links to E Minor entrance on Poplar Ave State Highway, Whareoa farm and Valley Rd Intended recreation link Coordinate with NZTA, KCDC and DoC to achieve attractive Advocate recreation improvement entry to Park and with other management authorities Whareroa farm Valley Rd NZTA options for MacKays - Peka Peka Coastal expressway * Escarpment (KCDC)

Heritage Projects

Heritage / Nature interpretation 1 at Wainui Pa, Whareroa Pa, MacKays Crossing, Raumati South

2 Potential heritage precinct *GW will work with New Zealand Transport Agency on finalising options for the expressway