- Manage and support biodiversity mountains to sea, including waterways
- Plan for minimal impact and regeneration while allowing for appropriate recreational activities
- Recognise taonga species in the area of importance to tangata whenua
The Council bought 903 hectares of farmland in Te Oka and Tumbledown valleys to form the park, aiming to protect and enhance natural values, and to provide recreational opportunities in a natural, semi-remote setting.
Project status: Decision made
Open for feedback: 17 October 2018 to 18 December 2018
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Submissions have now closed and hearings will be held before a report goes to the Banks Peninsula Community Board
Reserve features include:
- a landscape containing a variety of grassland, forested and coastal environments
- an existing track network
- proximity to Te Oka and Tumbledown Bays
Looking southwest down Te Oka Valley
Vision for the park:
The purpose of the park is to protect and foster the environmental, landscape, biodiversity and historic values of Te Oka Reserve and provide for an outdoor semi-remote recreation experience for visitors.
The aims for managing the park are to:
- protect and enhance natural values
- maintain and promote the historical features and cultural values
- facilitate appropriate access for people to experience and appreciate a natural environment in a semi-remote setting
Te Oka Stream
Regenerating natives in Te Oka Valley
Aerial map view of Te Oka Reserve
Public feedback so far:
Key actions - public feedback so far
Suggestions for use of the reserve - public feedback so far
- Develop more recreational access routes and tracks linkages
- Introduce other activities including horse riding, down–hill mountain biking, paragliding, picnicking and water -related activities
- Allow key beneficial tourism activities and associated facilities
- Potential for educational use as an ‘outside classroom’
Management issues and suggestions - public feedback so far
- Careful management of site that allow for appropriate use, with an emphasis on remoteness and protection of the natural environment
- Need careful consideration of form of access, such as what type of vehicle
- Control pest plants and animal pests
- Apply a Hinewai Reserve ‘hands-off’ approach for planting and regeneration, versus more active pest control and native planting eg by DoC
- Work with neighbouring property owners over shared risks and issues, including around livestock management, fire risk and waterways protection
Proposed management solutions:
Draft management plan objectives
- Protection and enhancement of the natural elements of the park’s landscape and environment
- Tangata whenua values are recognised
- Farming history is recognised
- -
- Native vegetation is encouraged
- Trees are safe for visitors
- Natural habitat for native fauna is enhanced and protected
- Wild fires are prevented or quickly suppressed if they occur
- Stock grazing is employed to optimize native biodiversity and recreating outcomes
- -
- Public recreational activities are encourage and facilitated where appropriate
- Certain activities are controlled appropriately
- Commercial activities on the park are compatible with the park purpose and do not limit public access
- The park is readily accessed by the public
- Necessary utilities are provided for in the park
- Buildings exist only if have heritage value and/or benefit the park, and do not impact on the park’s natural environment
- Physical connection with neighbouring/nearby open space areas/uses is fostered
- The public is well informed on the values and attributes of, as well as threats to and other information about , Te Oka Reserve
- The community participates in the enhancement and promotion of Te Oka Reserve
- The park’s effectiveness and condition, and needs, over time are well understood
Please go to the Te Oka Reserve draft management plan [PDF, 5.6 MB] to view proposed policies for each of these objectives
Why have a reserve management plan?
A reserve management plan gives direction under a statutory process to ensure a park will be managed through stated policies. It highlights the values, needs and uses of the park.
Te Oka Reserve is managed by the Council Regional Parks team as a regional park.
What is a recreation reserve?
The main purpose of a recreation reserve is to provide the public with areas for physical recreation and sporting activities, while also protecting the natural environment and beauty of the countryside.
Te Oka Reserve is made up of four parcels of land that are recreation reserve as defined by Section 17 of the Reserves Act 1977.
Next steps
After consultation on the draft management plan has closed we will:
- collate and analyse all the written submissions received
- present the information to a hearings panel made up of community board members and councillors
- arrange a hearing in Akaroa so that submitters can speak to the panel in support of their submission
- have the hearings panel report its recommendation for the finalised plan to the Banks Peninsula Community Board for approval
- inform submitters of the decision and any changes to the plan
How to find out more:
- View the Te Oka Reserve Draft Management Plan [PDF, 5.6 MB]
- View a hard copy of the draft management plan at Akaroa Library, Little River Service Centre, or at Civic Offices Christchurch.
- Read more information about the park and the planning on the Council website ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/explore-parks/banks-peninsula-parks-reserves/te-oka-reserve/.
Talk to the team:
Tuesday 6 November - 4pm to 6pm at the Service Centre, Little River
Saturday 24 November - 10 am to 12pm at the Akaroa Farmers Market (Madeira Hotel Carpark, 48 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa)