A cross section of stakeholders are contributing to a scoping report, which is being prepared by consultant Morphum Environmental.  

The report will be completed later this year and will examine environmental, cultural, recreational, and commercial issues and opportunities. The report won’t change how the public uses the harbour, rather the report should improve our understanding about the various uses, values and needs in the harbour.

Te Awa Ōtākou / Otago Harbour is a valued asset to the Otago Region, it is an important part of the Region’s environment, culture, economy and for multiple recreation pursuits. It is highly valued by many Otago people and is central to the Otago story. 

Te Awa Ōtākou / Otago Harbour has a pivotal role in the wellbeing of the Ōtākou hapū and whānau. The harbour is a source of identity and a bountiful provider of kaimoana. It is the pathway to fishing grounds, mahika kai locations and villages throughout the harbour and for seaward journeys beyond. Traditionally it was the mode for other hapū to visit, and in today's world it is the lifeline to the international trade that benefits the region. The ebb and flow of the harbour tides is a valued certainty in a world of change, a taoka to be treasured and protected for the benefit of current and future generations. 

ORC, DCC and Mana Whenua have heard from our communities about the need to evaluate the health of Te Awa Ōtākou / Otago Harbour, including ecological health, effects on water quality, changing cultural landscapes, access for mahika kai. As well as maximizing access for recreational activities, and commercial potential. An Issues and Opportunities report has been commissioned to initiate this work.

Te Awa Ōtākou – Otago Harbour Issues and Opportunities report is intended to:

• gather information about the history and cultural landscape of Te Awa Ōtākou / Otago Harbour;
• gather current and future environmental, cultural, recreational, and commercial issues and opportunities for Te Awa Ōtākou / Otago Harbour;
• explore the roles and responsibilities of various agencies and other stakeholders and identify where there are overlaps and gaps;
• provide options for approaches that could be taken by ORC/DCC/Mana Whenua, key stakeholders, and the wider community to address the issues and opportunities identified.

The report will be made publicly available.

The report won’t change how the public uses the harbour, rather the report should improve our understanding about the various uses, values and needs in the harbour.

• DCC has recently completed consultation on their Harbour Reserves Management Plan, the results of this public consultation will be considered in the report.
• Morphum Environmental and ORC are meeting with a cross section of stakeholders including community boards, community groups, businesses, and recreational groups. This has provided a treasure trove of insights.

If you are interested or want to be involved in the next steps, email us at strategy@orc.govt.nz

In areas with a wide range of uses, values, and needs, solutions to one problem can sometimes create problems elsewhere, the report will need to be a comprehensive and balanced consideration of issues and opportunities drawing on: 

• the history and cultural landscape of the harbour, 
• physical setting, 
• environmental trends, 
• previous studies and reports, 
• district and regional plans, 
• other anecdotal information,
• consented and non-consented activities, 
• current and planned work programmes, 
• competing uses, 
• community aspirations, 
• and the implications of climate change. 

ORC is working closely with mana whenua and DCC on the report.

ORC has selected Morphum Environmental to write the report. The writing team also includes Aukaha, Studio Pacific Architecture and the University of Otago Marine Sciences.

The report and its recommendations will be presented to Councillors later this year before being made publicly available.

The report is step one, and any plans or decisions will need to have appropriate public engagement, if funding is required, this would need to be sought in future annual and long-term plans.