The following media release comes from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

The public are invited to have their say on their vision for the future of the Rangitāiki River. The Rangitāiki River Forum is now seeking feedback on the draft Rangitāiki River Document, “Te Ara ō Rangitāiki - Pathways of the Rangitāiki” - (PDF, 2.7 MB).

The Forum has drafted a vision, desired outcomes and objectives for the Rangitāiki catchment in Te Ara ō Rangitāiki/ Pathway of the Rangitāiki.

Rangitāiki River Forum Chairman, Bronco Carson, said that he hoped the Document would be widely read and there would be a plenty of feedback on the direction the Forum had taken.

“The Rangitāiki River Document is all about everyone’s aspirations for the River and ensuring a healthy River for the benefit of present and future generations. It is a taonga (valued resource) to many, Māori and non-Māori alike.

“The River supports our economy through hydro-electricity generation, agriculture, fisheries, horticulture, forestry and tourism. But it is also more than that – it is an ancestral river, and we want the mauri of the river to be enhanced.

“Balancing these multiple demands on the River continues to be a challenge, and we want the Document to be a tool that will help us manage and balance our needs into the future,” Mr Carson said.

More information and an electronic version of the Document are available online at www.rangitaiki.org.nz or call our team on 0800 884 881 extn 9138/9324/9881. Hardcopies of the draft Document are available in the Rūnanga offices of Ngāti Whare, Ngāti Manawa and Ngāti Awa, the Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust offices, Bay of Plenty Regional Council offices and Whakatāne, Taupō and Kawerau District Council offices. 

People are invited to send in their submissions via hard copy or email before 15 October 2014.

Public open days are also being held in Murupara (Saturday, 6 September, 10 am-2 pm at the Sports Pavillion) and in Edgecumbe (Saturday, 13 September, 10 am-2 pm in the Riverslea Shopping Mall).