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Auckland Council has voted to continue allowing set netting at Matakatia Bay in Whangaparāoa, despite concerns expressed by the community and local board.
Council staff investigated the need for a ban after a notice of motion from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board made last year, but found that many complaints around littering, overnight camping or noise would not be addressed through a set net ban.
At Council’s Regulatory Committee on August 9, members voted to keep the status quo, which allows set netting.
During public input, Matakatia Bay Action Group spokesperson Lance Wickman said the report prepared by Council staff was limited, had not been consulted on with the community or local board, and did not provide grounds for an informed decision.
Senior policy advisor Bonnie Apps later confirmed this and said they had only spoken with the Ministry of Primary Industries and the local marae during the investigation.
Community and Social Policy general manager Kataraina Maki said not undertaking consultation is typical in this process.
Maki said putting in a set netting ban requires a high level of evidence and that what had been presented for Matakatia did not meet those standards.
Some complaints were about people gathering and Maki said it was difficult to identify why council would need to restrict public gatherings.
“When you are looking to restrict the rights and freedoms of people you need to have the appropriate measures,” Maki said.
Chair Linda Cooper said that one complainant had taken a picture of people sitting on a ute at the bay.
“That is not set netting. People are allowed to do that,” Cr Cooper said. “When you live by a beach it feels very much your own, but all beaches are public spaces.”
Cr Cooper encouraged the community to put in complaints around set netting going forward.
“Please do not be afraid to put in complaints. That is how we identify trends. That helps council staff to see the hot spots.”
Cr Sharon Stewart and Cr Daniel Newman proposed an amendment to defer the vote until a more robust report could be put together.
Cr Newman said while he agreed it was important not to confuse the issue of set netting with group assembly or littering, he believed doing nothing was not a proportional response.
The amendment was lost with Crs Newman and Stewart being the only members to vote in support.
Neither of the Albany Ward councillors, Wayne Walker and John Watson, sit on the Regulatory Committee.
Cr Walker told Hibiscus Matters the decision is disappointing and not what the Matakatia residents had fought for since first approaching the local board a year ago.
Matakatia Bay Action Group members were approached for comment but declined.
Backstories August 16 and September 27, 2021, January 24, 2022
