Mangroves in crosshairs following appeal

An interim judgement by the Environment Court has directed that the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society (MHRS) may remove some 18 hectares (44 acres) of mangroves from various areas of the Mangawhai Harbour south and east of the two causeways – subject to conditions still being negotiated.

“That isn’t everything we asked for but it’s a start,” says MHRS public relations officer Loraine Hartley. 

The original application for mangrove removal was rejected by the panel of three planning commissioners, but the MHRS considered their findings to be at odds with the facts and appealed the decision with the case going before the Environment Court in a four-day hearing last April.

“Once the consent conditions have been finalised, it will be necessary to plan the mangrove removal initiative along with proposals for the provision of funding and manpower.”

As part of a community consultation process the MHRS is proposing a public meeting as early as consent conditions allow to examine the issue and how supporters can help to get the job done.

And according to the society’s own research there are a majority of local supporters who are passionate about mangrove management.