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Kaipara District Council (KDC) has voted to keep the Lake Taharoa boat ramp at Kai Iwi Lakes open, going against a recommendation from the Taharoa Domain Governance Committee.
The decision was also contrary to a Northland Regional Council (NRC) request to temporarily close the ramp to prevent the potential spread of the invasive freshwater gold clam.
The proposed closure, which would have taken effect from Labour Weekend, was intended as a precautionary measure as authorities grapple with the growing threat posed by the gold clam. The species has already caused serious environmental and economic concerns in parts of the country further south.
However, during a lengthy debate at its June 25 meeting, KDC councillors instead voted to maintain the status quo and called on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and NRC to take the lead on any closure efforts.
Mayor Craig Jepson, who led the move to keep the ramp open, said a ban on motorised boats alone wouldn’t be enough to stop the spread of the clam, which could still arrive on other types of watercraft.
“The prudent thing is to get the wash [cleaning station] up and running as quickly as possible,” Jepson said, advocating instead for greater investment in education and regional biosecurity monitoring.
The council’s decision was also shaped by legal advice, which cast doubt on its authority under the Reserves Act to close the boat ramp. Legal opinion suggested that a closure would be better enforced through a Controlled Area Notice (CAN) issued by MPI. Councillors were informed during the meeting that NRC had submitted a formal request to MPI for such a notice last week.
Opposition came from within the council chambers, with Councillors Pera Paniora and Mark Vincent – both members of the Taharoa Domain Governance Committee – voting against the status quo. Cr Paniora emphasised that the committee’s recommendation was never about a permanent closure.
“It was just to give us time to find a workable and enduring solution,” she said.
NRC Councillor John Blackwell warned of the wider risks, noting that gold clam infestations in other regions had already begun affecting agricultural infrastructure, including farm irrigation systems.
“If it gets to Northland, it would have a huge effect on pasture farming,” he cautioned.
Earlier in the meeting, community members Julie and Rod Field and Gordon Gilmour gave presentations proposing alternative protective measures. Drawing on examples from other high-risk areas such as Rotorua, they argued that local boats posed a lower risk and suggested initiatives such as boat washing stations, bans on watercraft from infected regions, and improved education and compliance checks.
Since 2023, NRC has implemented a range of biosecurity measures at Lake Taharoa, including signage, water testing, public education campaigns, and inspections. It regards the lake as high risk due to its popularity with visitors from across the country.
Last week’s decision leaves open the possibility that a Controlled Area Notice from MPI could still result in temporary or targeted restrictions in the future. Until then, the lake remains open to all watercraft, with increased emphasis on cleaning and compliance protocols.
