Background
A series of strategic and business plans have been developed for Port Tarakohe by the Council over the last decade with variable levels of implementation. There have been numerous processes of community consultation. The purpose of this structure plan is to bring together all of the previous strands of work/information, fill in information gaps, provide principled direction and start to weave a new path for the Port and surrounding areas.
Port Tarakohe is a highly valued community asset that provides for recreational and commercial activities located toward the eastern end of Golden Bay | Mohua, Tasman Region. It is located some 14 km from the majority of the Abel Tasman National Park , 2 km east of Pōhara and 10 km from the larger settlement of Tākaka. The Port has grown around commercial, quarrying, recreational, tourism and conservation activities that require maritime access and supporting facilities. The Port is significant for the historic economic growth of Golden Bay | Mohua in particular supporting aquaculture; agriculture; mining; forestry; fishing & tourism activities.
Port Tarakohe is home to Manawhenua ki Mohua (whānau ki Ngāti Tama, Te Ātiawa and Ngāti Rārua); the kaitiaki (guardians) of this rohe (area) and all its taonga (treasures). Port Tarakohe is a pre-historic waka landing site within a much larger area of cultural significance and an important resting place on the main ara (pathway) from Te Matau (Separation Pt) to Tākaka. The name “Tarakohe” can be translated as a place to chat and share stories; another interpretation is “thorny shrub” which grew in abundance among the limestone outcrops. Papa kāinga (settlements), fishing grounds and urupā (burials) are all associated with the cultivation and occupation of land along this coastline by successive iwi tribes. Modified soils, gardens, pits, and middens reflect the variety and abundance of kai (food) collected from land and sea. Kororā, (Little Blue penguins) are another precious taonga – with a significant population residing at the Port.
The area is significant as the location of the first engagement between Māori and Abel Tasman in 1642, with a memorial to the event located on land adjoining the Port, on conservation land. The area has been significantly modified since that early encounter with construction and development of cement works and accompanying wharfage since the early 1900’s.
The Port itself has been developed and redeveloped over the last century and now comprises a sizable marine complex. The immediate and wider area continue to hold significant cultural values.
Current commercial uses of the Port area focus on shipping and the provisions of a shore base for fishing, rock barging and aquaculture industries. The Port area also provides a range of highly valued recreational activities that include sheltered boat launching, marina berths and moorings and the Pōhara Boat Club. Recreational fishing also occurs off the two breakwaters. Rock climbing, cycling, and visiting the Abel Tasman Memorial are also popular. Golden Bay | Mohua is prone to storm events which can isolate the Bay through road closures for considerable lengths of time, especially the Tākaka Hill road. When this occurs, the Port provides an important transportation link with the rest of Tasman and the Port is seen as critical for community resilience. The Port is located on the way to other popular tourist areas of Golden Bay | Mohua and traffic along the road increases considerably during Summer and holiday seasons.
The Port and surrounding area is also home to several rare and endangered species, notably Kororā | little blue penguins, and considerable conservation works are underway in and around the Port to support these species. The adjacent limestone bluffs are an important geomorphological feature and support important flora and fauna.
A series of strategic and business plans have been developed for the area by the Council over the last decade with variable levels of implementation. There have been numerous processes of community consultation. The purpose of this structure plan is to bring together all of the previous strands of work/information, fill in information gaps, provide principled direction and start to weave a new path for the Port and surrounding areas.
Context
The Port Tarakohe Draft Spatial Plan aims to balance the competing demands of commercial activity, recreation, and environmental protection, while addressing the various challenges and opportunities facing the area.
Read the Spatial Plan Context for; Ownership, Māori, Commercial Port activities, Recreation and Community, Special Natural and Ecological Areas, Access and Movement, Infrastructure, Climate Change, Statutory and Current Context for Eastern (Port) Side of the Port, Western (Recreational) Side of the Port and the Abel Tasman Memorial.
Ownership:
The land is primarily owned by the Tasman District Council (TDC), with smaller portions owned privately and managed by the Department of Conservation.
Cultural Significance:
The area holds significant cultural value for Ngāti Rarua, with various archaeological sites and culturally important locations.
Commercial Port Activities:
The Port's primary function is as a working port, supporting commercial activities like marine farming, transportation, and tourism.
Recreation and Community:
The area also serves as a recreational hub, with potential for expansion of recreational facilities and activities.
Environmental Concerns:
The text emphasizes the need to protect the area's natural and ecological values, including the Kororā (little blue penguin), red-billed gull colony, and marine life.
Infrastructure Challenges:
The Port faces various infrastructural constraints, such as limited water supply, wastewater treatment capacity, and stormwater management.
Climate Change:
The area is vulnerable to climate change impacts, particularly sea level rise, which could affect the Port's infrastructure and operations.
Statutory Context:
The area is subject to various regulations, including the Resource Management Act, Reserves Act, and National Parks Act.
To reference further context read Port Tarakohe Draft Spatial Plan.
Engagement
Engagement has been an important part of the development of this Spatial Plan. Appendix One provides a summary of the various methods of engagement and the feedback received.
The main themes received through the feedback include:
- Desire for increased and enhanced amenities and activities, including ablutions, seating, planting, parking, improved access, and safety, and potentially hospitality.
- The Port area is an important recreational space for passive and active recreation and there is a demand for increased recognition of and support for the full range of recreational opportunities.
- The commercial Port area is an important resource for supporting economic operations including marine farms, tourism opportunities and providing resilience for Golden Bay | Mohua.
- Protect the significant ecological and landscape qualities of the area including the habitat for Kororā | little blue penguins, and the cliffs with their unique vegetation.
The infographic illustrates both the initial, current and future opportunties for public engagement.
Read the Stage 3 Issues and Options Report here. This report has fed into the current Stage 4 Draft Spatial Plan engagement.
Why we have a plan
Spatial planning is a tool for managing the effects and demands of development or redevelopment of larger areas held in multiple ownership in an integrated, holistic and orderly way. A spatial plan serves as a comprehensive and forward-thinking tool used in the strategic management of complex environmental and developmental considerations within an identified area.
The purpose of the Port Tarakohe Draft Spatial Plan is to provide a high-level planning framework that sets out intended uses of areas within Port Tarakohe and its immediate surrounds. The proposed Spatial Plan will be used to inform the Council’s resource management plan and any future planning documents, and to influence wider Tasman District Council (TDC) decision making in relation to Long Term Plan funding and work plans for various Council departments.
The Council has decided to undertake this planning process for the following reasons:
The draft spatial plan may indicate actions that relate to other Council roles and responsibilities e.g. leasehold arrangements, but it will not bind the wider Council to anything that needs to go through other legal or regulatory processes.
Spatial plan themes
The key themes for the Draft Spatial Plan are:
MANA WHENUA
- Protect and recognise the cultural heritage of the Port Tarakohe area.
- Provide opportunities for improvements that meet mana whenua needs.
- Implement the principles of Te Mana o Te Wai in the management of stormwater.
- Integrate Māori design and tikanga into the built environment.
- Enhance and protect indigenous biodiversity.
COMMUNITY NEEDS
- Maintain the identity of the area.
- Provide for and enhance recreation use and opportunities.
- Enable use of open space for various community purposes.
SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTS
- Recognise, protect and enhance special areas and values, specifically:
- outstanding natural landscapes and outstanding natural features,
- coastal natural character,
- ecological areas and habitats,
- heritage.
GROWTH
- Enable sustainable, efficient, consolidated and economically sound growth.
- Infrastructure provision to support growth.
- Recognise and support the role of the Port in providing resilience for Golden Bay | Mohua.
- Ensure safe and efficient transport connections to and through the Structure Plan area.
RESPONSES TO HAZARDS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
- Ensure development takes account of risk from stormwater flooding, coastal inundation, and sea-level-rise.
- Ensure that growth provides for resilience and adaptation to climate change.
Overarching objectives
The spatial plan spatial layout is shown on the plan in the column to the right to the right and supporting this are three key objectives. These three objectives are intended to work in an integrated way to ensure positive outcomes across the Draft Spatial Plan themes.
The spatial plan layout is shown on the plan on the right and supporting this are three key objectives. These three objectives are intended to work in an integrated way to ensure positive outcomes across the Draft Spatial Plan themes as set out below:
| Spatial Plan Objectives | Does the objective achieve the Spatial Plan Themes? | |
| 1. Identifying areas of the Port for particular uses and activities improves certainty | Mana whenua | ✓ |
| Community needs | ✓ | |
| Special environments | ✓ | |
| Growth | ✓ | |
| Responses to hazards and climate change |
| |
|
| ||
| 2. Providing for growth and change | Mana whenua | ✓ |
| Community needs | ✓ | |
| Special environments | - | |
| Growth | ✓ | |
| Responses to hazards and climate change | ✓ | |
|
| ||
| 3. Celebrating values and protecting special spaces | Mana whenua | ✓ |
| Community needs | ✓ | |
| Special environments | ✓ | |
| Growth | - | |
| Responses to hazards and climate change | - | |
The objective seeks to ensure clarity of uses and separation of activities and is grounded in clearly identifying what parts of the Port area are to be used for which purposes. The identification of areas will also be aligned with the appropriate statutory actions to implement this spatial layout (see action plan section for more details).
To achieve this objective, the Spatial Plan area will be clearly divided into three key areas with each clearly defined each providing for different uses and activities. This allocation of space will provide increased separation between the commercial port, recreational and conservation spaces to improve certainty for users. Any future development, expansion of activities or new change will need to be located in the right area and be compatible with the core purpose of that area.
The Spatial Plan area is proposed to be delineated into three separate areas and the areas have the following roles:
- Commercial Port Area – covering the eastern part of the Spatial Plan area, and containing the marina, wharfs, ramps and wharf facilities.
- Recreation Area – covering the western and central part of the Spatial Plan area, and containing the boat club, recreational ramps, parking and open space areas.
- Conservation Area – covering the foreshore and cliffs and including the Abel Tasman memorial land.
Commercial Port Area
The purpose of this area is to provide a Port and harbour facility with an economic focus and provision for community resilience, commercial and light industrial activities and port facilities.
The direction for this area is to undertake appropriate and sustainable growth and development that provides for economic and community wellbeing, while protecting cultural values and the environment.
Recreation Area
The purpose of this area is to support and enhance recreation and community opportunities, including passive and active recreation and support activities that enhance recreational options. Provision for recreation activities will include protection of the Kororā | little blue penguin habitat.
The direction for this area is to provide excellent community recreation opportunities that enhance the special values of the area.
Conservation area
The purpose of this area is to provide for ecological protection and conservation restoration and enhancement activities. A parallel purpose is to provide for limited recreational activity in the form of climbing and walking.
The direction for this area is to protect and enhance areas of conservation and ecological significance.
The methods of achieving the delineation of the spaces within the Spatial Plan area are set out in the Action Plan section.
Both the Commercial Port area and the Recreation area have the potential for some growth and change in activities. This growth can provide resilience for the community, economic support to both businesses and the community, increased and improved recreational opportunities, and improved open spaces. Any growth and change needs to be sustainable and to be balanced against achieving the other outcomes including ensuring that it is not at the cost of the environment.
To facilitate such opportunities there is a need to make deliberate decisions around support for appropriate growth, particularly in relation to infrastructure provision, and roading / access. Key elements to resolve include securing a potable water supply, developing an adequate wastewater management approach, and ensuring safe access and movement to and through the Port area. All growth and change must be carefully considered and shall apply appropriate consideration to cultural values, community wellbeing and environmental constraints.
To achieve this objective, provision will be made for appropriate growth and development through a variety of statutory processes, with any change focused within parts of the Spatial Plan area that can accommodate change, and there will be a focus on opportunities and options that are good for everyone and the environment.
The actions required to achieve growth and development are set out in the Action Plan section.
The Draft Spatial Plan area holds many special values and spaces that merit being protected and celebrated. While the delineation of the Conservation Area will clearly show the key purpose of that space, other values and spaces relate to the area as a whole. There will be a need to protect some areas (such as the cliffs and associated vegetation) to ensure that the special values are not lost by growth and change, while other areas (such as the memorial land) can be enhanced and used to support the wider community.
To achieve this objective, there will be protection of vulnerable areas and species, and provision will be made for some appropriate development of some areas to celebrate importance and enable enhancement.
The Action Plan sets out the key actions for achieving protection and celebration of values and special qualities.
Spatial plan actions
| Objective 1 provides for separation of activities – through zoning and reserve status. Addressing this objective will in turn delineate areas in which activities are to be enabled and set the outline for the other objective | |||||
| Objective | Action | Action Category | |||
|
Identifying areas of the Port for particular uses and activities improves certainty | Apply the separation approach through application of three zones within the Spatial Plan area: Port Zone, Recreation Zone, and Conservation Zone (through a plan change) | Planning | |||
| In accordance with s16 of the Reserves Act 1977, prepare and consult on a proposal to classify the eastern part of the 4.56 ha reserve area where the Port is located as Local Purpose (Harbour Works) Reserve and the western part as Recreation Reserve. This will ensure that the primary purpose assigned to each half of the reserve more accurately reflects the values present. | Reserves | ||||
| Legalise existing extensions to arms and width of breakwaters to ensure that the reclamation areas are identified correctly, and property boundaries align with MHWS. | Legal | ||||
| Objective 2 require an initial detailed assessment that addresses identification of constraints / opportunities and option development. For each of the key issues the initial assessment will then put in place further actions to deal with the issue appropriately. For example, an overarching approach to roading and transport will start with assessment of issues and options, and then move to determine appropriate steps to better address access and safety. | |||||
| Objective | Action | Action Category | |||
| Providing for growth and change to enable opportunity | Undertake a process to identify ‘functional need’ to inform rules that enable/restrict activities within the three areas | Planning | |||
| Prepare and consult on a management plan for the commercial Port area that sets out future growth options over the next 5-10 years and addresses cost / benefit and funding. This will also include identification of constraints on growth and demand for services, amenities and facilities, together with options to resolve constraints. It will include resilience, management of contaminants, resolving conflicts between users, and support for wider commercial activities, and an assessment of how growth supports cultural values, community wellbeing and environmental values. | Planning | ||||
| Prepare and consult on a management plan for the commercial Port area that sets out future growth options over the next 5-10 years and addresses cost / benefit and funding. This will also include identification of constraints on growth and demand for services, amenities and facilities, together with options to resolve constraints. It will include resilience, management of contaminants, resolving conflicts between users, and support for wider commercial activities, and an assessment of how growth supports cultural values, community wellbeing and environmental values. | Commercial | ||||
| Prepare a three waters servicing report that includes:
| Servicing Reserves Commercial | ||||
| Prepare a roading and transport report that includes:
| Transport Reserves Commercial | ||||
| Review and consult on the Golden Bay Ward Reserves Management Plan (RMP) to incorporate specific management policies for Port Tarakohe reserve. This Port Tarakohe section will include specific direction to guide development of the recreational area, including relocation of activities and identification of new uses that have a functional need to locate within the reserve space, for example:
| Reserves | ||||
| Objective 3 can be implemented in parallel with the other actions, and in many cases involves actions that will require the Council teams to work closely with the community and other agencies. | |||||
| Objective | Action | Action Category | |||
| Celebrating values and protecting special spaces recognises history, the people and the environment | Identification of areas of landscape and natural character value, and protection of these through plan changes to TRMP (underway | Planning | |||
| Identification of areas of ecological significance and development of an approach to protecting these (potentially plan change to TRMP). | Planning | ||||
| Cultural value identification: work with iwi to commission a specific assessment of cultural values for the Spatial Plan area that will inform mechanisms to protect and celebrate values1. | Planning | ||||
| Formalise a community-based biodiversity group and together with that group prepare a biodiversity restoration and enhancement plan. The plan will identify opportunities for ecological restoration and enhancement, and guide actions to implement the plan, including sources of funding and timing of works. | Biosecurity and Biodiversity | ||||
| Support works by DOC to enhance the Abel Tasman memorial site including through investigations into additional parking, safe walking access and signage. | All of Council | ||||
| Develop a contamination management plan that ensures that all activities within the Spatial Plan area respond to the directions of the NZCPS to protect the coastal environment from contamination. This will include identification of sources of contamination and an action plan to manage risks. | Commercial | ||||
