Sign In / Register
Pākiri beach now off limits
Tangata whenua have closed one of the area’s most popular beaches over concerns for kaimoana, the sand dunes and the endangered birds. The rahui on the beach in Pākiri will be in place indefinitely. Spokesperson Sharon Williams says if tangata whenua do not make a stand and educate visitors, then they are not properly protecting and preserving the whenua for future generations. Pou te pou tiaki i nga One Haea, translated meaning guardians of Pākiri Beach – One Haea (glistening sands) will define the rahui area.
Above photo, Sharon Williams.
A customary rahui was placed on the beach at Pākiri on Sunday, October 15 by the tangata whenua of Pākiri to protect the kaimoana, the sand dunes and endangered birds.
The rahui, or restricted access, will remain in place until further notice and encompasses the northern boundaries of 260 Pākiri River Road (Taumata B) to the northern boundaries of the Goat Island Marine Reserve. The beach and the rocks are now closed to all foot traffic, unless accompanied by tangata whenua.
Spokesperson Sharon Williams says the rahui is to make people aware of the current effects their actions have on the whenua (land). The kaimoana on the rocks is only one of the issues.
“The public are clambering through the sand dunes, which have already taken a real hammering from the cyclones and the sand mining, and the effect is clearly visible,” she says.
“There are also dotterel nesting at the southern end and the NZ fur seals are returning and their breeding season starts next month.
“There are several boats starting to anchor right in at the rocks and with the boats comes the threat of the invasive caulerpa. There are also large groups of walkers tramping over the rocks and through the dunes, which contain middens and rare tussock, and there are also no public toilets at the southern end of the beach.”
Williams says if tangata whenua do not make a stand and educate visitors, then they are not doing their job of properly protecting and preserving the whenua for future generations.
“Once we are happy that the message is getting through to visitors, then we will let people walk along the beach, but probably leave the rahui on the rocks.”
Signage will be placed at access points.
A pou rahui has been erected at the northern boundary of Taumata B to signify a rahui is in place and a second pou rahui will be erected at the rocks.
Williams says tangata whenua will have an increased presence on the beach and the rocks area over coming weeks.
“Most kiwis are respectful of a rahui and tautoko the kaupapa (support the cause).”
She says a sign by the public toilets shows that a lot of the beach is private land.
“The privately owned Maori land along coastline was never part of the treaty settlement, as we owned it a couple of hundred years prior to the treaty. We shouldn’t have to police this part of the beach.”
