SUSTAINABLE MÄORI TOURISM IN TAI TOKERAU Report prepared by Dr Neil Mitchell, School of Environmental and Marine Sciences, University of Auckland and Helena Skalova PRE-PUBLICATION DRAFT The published version of this document may differ from this draft in form and/or content. First distributed in draft form December 2000. The James Henare Mäori Research Centre The University of Auckland Private Bag 92-019 AUCKLAND Phone 09 3737-599 x 85085 Fax 09 3737-458 E-mail [email protected] Web site: http://www.jhmrc.ac.nz © James Henare Maori Research Centre, University of Auckland 2000, 2001, 2002 This book in both printed and electronic format is copyright, and may not be reproduced in whole or part for sale or commercial distribution without written authorization from the copyright holder. The material may be freely copied or distributed on a non-commercial basis by any group or individual engaged in promoting sustainable community-based development initiatives, provided the source is acknowledged explicitly. The research on which this report is based was conducted as part of the James Henare Mäori Research Centre’s research programme on sustainable Maori development, with funding from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. Cover Photograph: Cape Reinga at the meeting of the two oceans. (All photographs in this document were taken by Dr Neil Mitchell) CONTENTS PREFACE............................................................................................................................... 3 GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY .............................................................. 5 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM ................................................................................................. 5 THE ‘NATURE’ IN NATURE TOURISM.................................................................................... 6 SELECTION OF SITES OF SPECIAL INTEREST FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM8 INITIAL SITE SELECTION ........................................................................................................ 8 Figure 1: The Bluff (West coast, Aupouri Peninsula) ............................................. 8 FIELD SURVEY OF SELECTED SITES....................................................................................... 9 Assessment of ecological patterns, ecological quality, sustainability and sensitivity..... 9 Field ecological survey with relevance to potential nature tourism experiences ......... 10 Map 1: The study Area .......................................................................................... 11 THE STUDY REGION ....................................................................................................... 12 GENERAL ISSUES RELATING TO THE REGION ...................................................................... 12 Figure 2: Cape Reinga, showing the strength of the tides ..................................... 12 Figure 3: Kapowairua [Spirits Bay], looking west ................................................ 13 THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT............................................................................................ 14 Sand country .................................................................................................................. 14 Figure 4: Motu o Pao [Cape Maria van Diemen] and Te Werahi Beach............... 14 The far north .................................................................................................................. 15 Ahipara .......................................................................................................................... 15 Wetlands......................................................................................................................... 15 Figure 5: Te Werahi swamp, leading across to the beach ..................................... 15 Exposed Coasts .............................................................................................................. 16 Sheltered harbours......................................................................................................... 16 NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS ...................................................................................................... 16 Forest and shrubland systems........................................................................................ 16 Figure 6: Prostrate manuka at Murimotu [North Cape] (Note the very red soil) .. 17 Wetlands......................................................................................................................... 18 Freshwater.................................................................................................................. 18 Coastal ....................................................................................................................... 18 Sand Country ................................................................................................................. 18 Figure 7: Looking from above Murimotu [North Cape] to the Kotoka Spit ......... 19 Harbours/estuaries ........................................................................................................ 19 STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT................................................................................................ 19 Map 2: Possible routes including Motu o Pao [Cape Maria van Diemen] and Cape Reinga .................................................................................................................... 20 Figure 8: A spectacular coastal view looking north from The Bluff..................... 21 ECOTOURISM POSSIBILITIES IN THE FAR NORTH.............................................. 21 PROPOSALS ......................................................................................................................... 22 Eastern section............................................................................................................... 22 Map 3: Possible route from Te Paki ...................................................................... 23 South of the Cape Reinga Road................................................................................. 23 North of the Cape Reinga Road................................................................................. 24 Map 4: Possible routes north of the Cape Reinga road.......................................... 25 Figure 9: Country to the north of Cape Reinga Road, looking towards Tirikawa. 26 Map 5: Possible routes in Kapowarua [Spirits Bay] and Waitiki Landing areas .. 27 Western Section.............................................................................................................. 27 Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) and Unuwhao ................................................................... 28 Mokaikai – Murimotu (North Cape).......................................................................... 28 Figure 10: Pupu Harakeke ..................................................................................... 28 Parengarenga Harbour ............................................................................................... 29 CASE STUDY ......................................................................................................................29 Map 6: Possible routes in the Murimotu [North Cape] and Parengarenga harbour area......................................................................................................................... 30 THE KARAURIA PROPERTY ................................................................................................. 31 Figure 11 Typical small farm with potential for development as a tourism base.. 31 OTHER MATTERS ............................................................................................................ 32 ENVIRONMENTAL AND LOCAL KNOWLEDGE........................................................................ 32 WAHI TAPU ......................................................................................................................... 32 PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS...................................................................................................... 32 Figure 12: Parengrenga Harbour, looking from the northwest to Kotoka Spit...... 33 CONCLUSIONS: MURIWHENUA .................................................................................. 33 APPENDIX........................................................................................................................... 34 SIGNIFICANT TRADITIONAL PLACE NAMES......................................................................... 34 Nga Pou Whakahï o Te Tai Tokerau – Muriwhenua 2 Preface “He iti pioke no Rangaunu, he au töna”. I te taenga mai o te pukapuka nei, ka äta titiro ahau i nga kupu, i nga whakaahua hoki ki roto, ä ka huri oku whakaaro ki nga wä o töku taitamarikitanga, ki ëtahi o nga pükörero i whangai ai i ahau i nga tikanga o tënei takiwä rongonui. Nä reira e mihi atu ana ahau ki a koutou, Hoera, Pako, Waata, Mahia, Höhepa korua ko Ruihi, Rikihana, Niki, koutou ko nga tini kua haere atu ra i mua i a mätou ki tua o te ärai. Haere mä te Rerenga Wairua ki nga mätua, ki ngä tüpuna, ki te käinga tüturu kua whakaritea e tö tätou Kaihanga mö tätou katoa. He mihi hoki ki a koutou, nga pou tokorima o te whare o Muriwhenua, ä ki te röpü äwhina i whakamanawa i taunaki ai i a mätou i te mahi rangahau nei. He koha mä koutou tënei pukapuka nä tö koutou pütahi rangahau i te Whare Wänanga o Tämaki-makaurau; ko te tumamako, ahakoa töna iti, he taonga kë. This publication is one of a set of reports of research on sustainable Mäori