Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park Operative Management Plan 2011 Prepared by Parks and Gardens Unit Hamilton City Council In conjunction with: Centre for Biodiversity and Ecology Research Department of Biological Sciences The University of Waikato Hamilton Parks and Gardens Unit Page 1 of 96 Phone: 07 838 6622 Operative Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park Management Plan Email: [email protected] 2011 Table of Contents 1.0 Overview ............................................................................................... 4 2.0 Introduction ........................................................................................... 6 2.1. Introduction ................................................................................................ 6 2.2. Site definition.............................................................................................. 8 2.3. The Concept ............................................................................................... 8 3.0 Legislative and Planning Policy Framework ........................................... 10 3.1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 10 3.2. Reserves Act 1977 .................................................................................... 11 3.3. Local Government Act 2002 ...................................................................... 12 3.4. Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) ................................................... 14 3.5. Historic Places Act 1993 ............................................................................ 20 3.6. Waikato River Deed of Settlement and Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act 2010 .................................................................... 20 3.7. Regional Pest Management Strategy 2008-2013/Regional Pest Management Strategy Operational Plan 2008/2009 ................................................................... 21 3.8. Draft Regional Walking and Cycling Strategy for the Waikato Region 2009- 2015 21 3.9. National Guidelines for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) ............................................................................................................... 21 3.10. City Strategies........................................................................................... 22 3.11. Other Documents ..................................................................................... 23 4.0 Site Description .................................................................................... 26 4.1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 26 4.2. Site geography and geology ...................................................................... 27 4.3. Drainage and water quality ....................................................................... 31 4.4. Natural Values .......................................................................................... 34 4.5. Recreation and Community ....................................................................... 40 4.6. Landscape and aesthetics .......................................................................... 41 4.7. Historical and Cultural ............................................................................... 42 4.8. Education and Research Facilities ............................................................... 45 4.9. Summary .................................................................................................. 45 5.0 The Natural Heritage Park Concept ...................................................... 46 5.1. Objective .................................................................................................. 46 5.2. Policies ..................................................................................................... 46 5.3. Discussion ................................................................................................. 46 5.4. Key Implementation Actions ...................................................................... 48 6.0 Conservation and Enhancement of Indigenous Flora ............................. 52 6.1. Objective .................................................................................................. 52 6.2. Policies ..................................................................................................... 52 6.3. Discussion ................................................................................................. 53 6.4. Key Implementation Actions ...................................................................... 54 7.0 Conservation and Enhancement of Native Fauna .................................. 55 7.1. Objective .................................................................................................. 55 Parks and Gardens Unit Page 2 of 96 Phone: 07 838 6622 Operative Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park Management Plan Email: [email protected] 2011 7.2. Policies ..................................................................................................... 55 7.3. Discussion ................................................................................................. 55 7.4. Key Implementation Actions ...................................................................... 57 8.0 Improvement of Water Quality ............................................................ 58 8.1. Objective .................................................................................................. 58 8.2. Policies ..................................................................................................... 58 8.3. Discussion ................................................................................................. 58 8.4. Key Implementation Actions ...................................................................... 60 9.0 Enhancing Recreational Values: Linkages and Landscape Connections .. 61 9.1. Objectives ................................................................................................ 61 9.2. Policies ..................................................................................................... 61 9.3. Discussion ................................................................................................. 61 9.4. Key Implementation actions ...................................................................... 63 10.0 Tangata Whenua Values ...................................................................... 64 10.1. Objective .................................................................................................. 64 10.2. Policies ..................................................................................................... 64 10.3. Discussion ................................................................................................. 64 10.4. Key Implementation Actions ...................................................................... 65 11.0 Education and Engagement .................................................................. 67 11.1. Objectives ................................................................................................ 67 11.2. Policies ..................................................................................................... 67 11.3. Discussion ................................................................................................. 67 11.4. Key Implementation Actions ...................................................................... 68 12.0 Research & Monitoring......................................................................... 70 12.1. Objective .................................................................................................. 70 12.2. Policies ..................................................................................................... 70 12.3. Discussion ................................................................................................. 70 12.4. Key Implementation Outcomes ................................................................. 72 13.0 Economic Opportunities ....................................................................... 73 13.1. Objectives ................................................................................................ 73 13.2. Policies ..................................................................................................... 73 13.3. Discussion ................................................................................................. 74 13.4. Key Implementation Actions ...................................................................... 74 14.0 Future Management & Milestones ....................................................... 76 14.1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 76 14.2. Annual Plans ............................................................................................. 76 14.3. Key Deliverables ....................................................................................... 76 15.0 References ........................................................................................... 78 Appendix 1: Glossary of Maori Terms – Rarangi kupu ................................... 80 Appendix 2: Plantings at Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park ...................... 81 Appendix 3: Protocol for Dealing with Archaeological Finds ........................... 86 Appendix 4: Past vegetation .........................................................................