part l: objective
In 1988: “To provide management planning and guidance for the Karekare area within an overall objective of conservation of the natural landscape”

recommendation:
1. That this objective be carried forward into the updated plan (see section 1.2).

part ll: planning values and layers of policy
In 1988, the planning values recognized were

• protection of natural environment
• consultation as a process between community and local authorities
• sense of history
• small community lifestyle
• sense of remoteness
• restraint of development

Today, these values continue to be identified as important to the community.The layers of policy which affect Karekare then and now:

• national Town and Planning Act Resource Management Act
• city District Scheme District Plan/ Eco City/Agenda 21
• regional council Regional Park Plan Regional Park Plan Update

Big changes were brought about in early 1990’s with the passing of the Resource Management Act by Parliament the development of an Eco City, based on Agenda 21 by the new Waitakere City. Many changes are still underway. The district scheme is about to be replaced by a district plan, which is based on extensive public consultation.

The old scheme was supported by the Karekare community as it was seen to safeguard both the environment and the lifestyle here. Since 1995, the community has been involved with the development and support of the new plan. Final submissions are now before the Environmental Court. For all the controversy, this process is respected by the community here.
It is important to note that with already existing approvals and titles, the capacity population at Karekare is projected to be 1100. This is approx. three times more than the current full-time population. This is another reason why the community is against any subdivision that does not comply with the District Plan.
In early 1999, the “Go Waitakere” faction at Waitakere City Council tried to subvert the District Plan process and passed a motion to remove the minimum lot size requirement in the Waitakere Ranges Environment zone.
In 2001, Waitakere City Council published the West Coast Plan. This document is result of years of consultation, working parties and workshops with locals from all West Coast communities. The Karekare community has been part of this process from the start and supports the WCP, whilst noting that community management plans provide further detail on the unique concerns and values of each locality.

recommendations: democracy issues
2. That community consultation continue to be the means by which the management plan is updated. (see section 1.3.1)
3. That the planning area be known as the Karekare Catchment, part of the West Coast of the Waitakere Ranges. (see section 1.3.2)
4. That the management plan be reviewed by KKRRT at least every five years. The community can call for a revision sooner if desired, or advance minor revisions at the KKRRT AGM. (see section 1.3.3)
5. That the City and Regional Council consult with the community regarding planning issues and any development in the area. (see section 1.3.5, 3.1.2)
6. That the relationship between the community and the City and Regional Council continue as consultative and progress to be more of a partnership, incorporating shared decision making and local resource allocation and use (see section 1.3.5, 3.1.2). In particular, although the community welcomes visitors, it also wants the support of all relevant authorities to discourage large scale tourism and to manage visitor impact.
7. That the consultation processes with City and Regional Council, of which the community participates in good faith, be honoured by both the elected representatives and staff of these authorities. (see section 1.3.5, 3.1.2).
8. That Kawerau a Maki are recognized as tangata whenua, the iwi to be consulted about sites and related issues here in Karekare (see section 1.3.5, 3.1.2)
9. That all planning for Karekare area has as its base the protection, conservation and enhancement of the natural environment. (see section 3.1.1, 3.1.2)
10.That Waitakere City and ARC concur with community in seeing Karekare as completely unsuitable place for any schemes involving any urban disposal (sewage outfall pipes, rubbish dumps, etc) or construction of large scale public works for use by urban Auckland (see section 5.1.1)
11. That the national protection of the Waitakere Ranges in its entirety be supported in principle, subject to further investigations. The management plan, and related documents concerning conservation in Waitakere Ranges (i.e. West Coast Plan), are to be brought to attention of Labour MP David Cunliffe, the chair of Waitakere Ranges Protection Society and others as appropriate (see section 5.4.1, 8.3,8.4)
12. That following consultations continue/be initiated addressing

a) transfer of unformed paper roads to ARC
b) purchase by ARC of private lands when made available to expand parkland (esp any seen from beach and along the Cutting)
c) that city reserves/ARC land management be rationalized in consultation/partnership with community
d) that status of accretion lands be secured (see sections 7.4.1, 7.3.1,7.2.1, 2.3.1).

13. That a person in the community be appointed to monitor, on a fortnightly basis, local resource consent applications and development proposals lodged with Council. Reports to the KKRRT and results lodged on the website and the Billboard (see section 8.1, 8.2).
14. That a Karekare community website be created

• to provide an easily updated platform for information about life in Karekare and current issues/contacts
• to promote discussion and solidarity with other Waitakere City Residents and Ratepayers groups

Information from the website is to be designed so as to be useful as a community booklet and/or factsheets. (see section 9.1).

part lll: heritage and history

In the past decade and a half, Karekare’s human population has grown and changed in composition as founders age and die, children grow up and leave, new people shift into the area, and the costs of housing and land increase.
Before that, the impact of both Maori and Europeans in this area can be seen in the landscape as a whole and in certain places. It can be heard in local legends and tales.
The remarkable present character of Karekare is built on this past, which deserves to be remembered in a variety of ways.

recommendations:
15. That landscape features and remnants of early Maori and European activity be protected (see section 3.2, 4.1-5).
16. That no action be taken to identify Maori occupation sites or improve access to them without consultation with tangata whenua and the local community. (see section 4.2.5)
17. That an inventory of trees significant for their history be made and copies kept with KKRRT, WCC and ARC. This could be combined with the record of trees planted as commemoratives on the newly purchased parkland near the beach. A search is to be made for any tree preservation schemes, with the aim of registering these trees with them as well (see section 4.4, 4.5).
18. That a history of the recent past (from WW2 onwards) be undertaken, with special emphasis on collection of local oral histories, to create a record of environmental and social changes. The community website is to be one of the places where this information can be published. An acknowledgement of key people and groups identified be made as appropriate (see section 3.2, 4.1-5).

part lV: local ecostructure
Ecostructure is a term from landscape ecology. It describes a web or collective of parts involving the flow of water and that land the water flows over and under. The ecostructure provides opportunities for many types of organisms to live. It differs from infrastucture by appearing to have a logic of its own and many purposes for different species and processes. Ecostructure is that constellation of living processes that “protection”, “conservation” “enhancement” and “monitoring” seeks to influence.

recommendations: ecostructure protection, conservation, enhancement, and monitoring
19. That seven general neighbourhoods, each with their own flavour and concerns, are recognized in the Karekare Catchment:

1) Karekare valley
2) Circle around beach (including Watchman’s Road and end of Karekare Rd)
3) Lone Kauri Rd Upper (to Overall’s)
4) Lone Kauri Lower (down to beach, including Waikarekare Lane and Nixon Rd)
5) Farm Rd.
6) La Trobe
7) Parkland
8) Beach Zone (see section 1.3.2, 3.1).

20. That a Karekare Land Care group facilitate a suite of conservation activities, best practice recommendations and monitoring for each neighbourhood (see section 3.1).

a) Key issues now are native rainforest regeneration, native bird protection and enhancement, animal and plant pests and the beach.
b) That in the first instance, requests be made of the resources and technical support of the ARC and the Land Care Trust. Other providers and funding agencies to be considered in due course.
c) The Land Care group can operate under the umbrella of the KKRRT.
d) The Land Care group work with all local community groups and households.

21. That the land care group be guided by these recommendations from 1988 and the community/authority actions which are based on these.

a) Present ARC park management policies [retain] relatively undeveloped character of Karekare. The opinion of community is unchanged in that the Pohutakawa Glade, the sand dunes and the land north side of the stream should all be kept as recreational and natural areas with foot access only, other than essential access for park and surf club service vehicles. (see sections 5.3.1, 5.3.3).
b) planting and follow up care of appropriate native trees and shrubs continue. (see sections 5.3.5).
c) the long term instability of the beach and Pohutakawa Glade be taken into account when considering any development work (see section 5.5.1).
d) WCC and ARC assist in the provision of native trees and shrubs (preferably local stock) for community planting in agreed areas. (see section 5.6.1).
e) the native plant nursery at Lone Kauri School continue to be supported by ARC and also by WCC in ways as desired by the school. (see section 5.6.1).
f) exotic plant and animal control/eradication programme (including biosecurity measures and Operation Forestsave) in the glade and beach areas are supported by community assistance available to rangers/officers upon request. That other areas are included as the Land Care group identifies the issues. (see section 5.7.1,5.7.4, 5.8.1)
g) monitoring and rahui at the beach continue to be supported (see section 5.13).

part V: infrastructure
Infrastructure is another term from landscape ecology and engineering. It describes a predominantly human-built collection of parts, a logical web created with the single intention of managing activities and processes for the benefit of human interests. Examples of these in Karekare are roads and footpaths, water supplies and waste disposal, power and telephone lines, camping areas, tracks, community amenities, provisions for pets and practices regarding personal and community livelihood.

recommendations: supporting human residents and visitors
Roads and footpaths: stormwater, markings, verges
22. That WCC

a) Continue to consult with the community and plans for the safety work to the Karekare and Lone Kauri Roads and any upgrading of minor roads (see section 6.1.1).
b) Complete the sealing of the Lone Kauri Road (see section 6.1.2, 6.1.5).
c) Follow through with the proper creation and care of channels for stormwater on the Lone Kauri and Karekare Roads. (see section 6.1).
d) Maintain the grass footpath along Karekare Rd so that in peak times pedestrians and horse riders are not competing with vehicular traffic(see section 6.1).
e) Discontinue poison spraying of vegetation on the verges of Karekare, Lone Kauri, Waikarekare and Watchman’s Rds as results of earlier “no spray” trials, show that regular mowing, occasional shrub and tree pruning and natural growth cycles tend these well enough (see section 5.7.2). (This does not release Council or property owners from removal of invasive or environmental weeds.)

23. That ARC

a) Provide wheel barriers in the main car park to define parking positions for best use of space and protection of developing pohutakawa trees, which have shallow roots (see section 6.2.1).
b) Ensure there be no vehicle access, parking or other unsuitable development in the Pohutakawa Glade or Karekare beach access. The exception is service and emergency access to the Surf Club, which is essential. That present informal access, controlled by the ARC/club, is adequate. That any changes, due to changes in stream making access difficult, be a matter of consultation between the club, community and ARC (see section 5.3.2, 6.3).
c) Continue to maintain small parking areas at Huia Track entrance and top of La Trobe track (see section 6.2.4-6).

24. That both ARC and WCC acknowledge innovations in parking management within the spaces already available involve and benefit the local community, while any revenue generated be returned to the community. (see section 5.3.3, 6.2.6)

water supplies and waste disposal
25. That the community continue working with Council to maintain and improve water quality management and flood controls (see section 6.6.1).
26. That WCC takes appropriate action for clearing Karekare Stream to reduce flood risk and ensure future culvert or other crossings to stream are not of a design that will raise water at flood times (see section 5.9.1).

power and telephone lines
27. That the powerlines at Karekare/Lone Kauri Rd junction up to the waterfall be put underground (see section 6.4) as a priority as well as all other lines in other neighbourhoods.
28. That Telecom be petitioned to upgrade the phone lines to accommodate more phone lines and provide broadband internet capacity (see section 8.1).

camping, barbques and fires in glade/beach
29. That camping continue to be restricted to the controlled minimum facilities at McCready Paddock and any additional camping should be only by extension at present site (see section 6.7.1).
30. That the ARC take firmer measures and provide clear unambiguous signage to control lighting of fires. That ARC endorses the installment of a gas barbeque (see section 5.10.1).

tracks
32. That the track from Watchman Road saddle down to Union Bay is assessed for erosion damage, although creation of steps is now considered undesirable (see section 6.8.1).
33. That ARC maintain signs to prevent entry of mountain bikes (see section 5.10.2).

community amenities
34. That information and contact details about existing community amenities (Fire party, school, Surf club, First response team and equipment, meeting/social space upstairs at fire station, community reserves) be updated yearly and made available to residents (see section 7 ).
35. That the land at Zion Track car park on Lone Kauri Road transferred to WCC from ARC for a nominal community reserve be investigated by locals for use as a community resource (with or without further development).

provisions for pets
36. That the community endorse the WCC/ARC and DOC by-laws concerning registration, exercise and control of dogs throughout private and public properties in Karekare (see section 5.11.1).
37. That the horse riders in the community respect the agreements regarding beach use: summer (until 9 am and after 5 pm), winter (until 10 am and after 4 pm) and to bury any horse droppings.
38. That the community encourage neutering of all pet cats in Karekare
39. That the community actively discourages the keeping of mustelids as pets.

practices concerning personal and community livelihood
40. That communications between ever increasing number of home workers be fostered (i.e. though Billboard, website, meetings, etc). These may be separate groups

• home office workers
• outdoor home workers (horticulture, agriculture,etc)
• artists
• providers of small scale lodgings/gatherings

Needs and interests that arise be brought to the KKRRT and any authorities or corporations as required. (see section 8.1)

41. That retail outlets (as typified by dairies, food vendors, outlets depending on regular custom by people off those premises) continue to be discouraged at Karekare (see section 8.1.1).
42. That community livelihood (esp the financing behind the community amenities) benefit directly from use made of Karekare by filming and gatherings (ie. weddings, ceremonies, workshops, etc). This can be in a variety of ways (cash, acknowledgement, royalties, etc) decided on in a case by case. The specific beneficiaries would also be decided on in a case by case basis (see section 3.3,3.5, 8.1).
43. That KKRRT liaise with tour services using Karekare and encourage these business to make contributions of either volunteer work or money or both to protect, conserve, enhance and monitor the areas they use (see section 3.5, 8.3).

memorial fixtures
44. That the Karekare community, in partnership with Waitakere City Council and Auckland Regional Council, endorse a moratorium on all memorial fixtures – including plaques and seats - on Karekare Beach and all bordering park areas, and supports the planting of memorial trees through the Memorial Tree Register.

mangement plan contents
introduction
2002 update of plan (below)
commentary to Karekare management plan update 2002
foundation management plan 1988