Field Trip 1: Blue skies – Green fields

Co-hosted by:

Auckland City Council & Manukau City Council

Conference theme:

Our Changing World

Auckland's CBD waterfront

Auckland's CBD waterfront is one of Auckland's greatest assets. It stretches from the Harbour Bridge in the west to Teal Park in the east. The heights of Auckland’s Skytower provide a stellar view of the waterfront and wider Auckland and will be the day’s starting point.

The waterfront plays a major role in the region's economy. The port and the marine and fishing industries have shaped the economic success of Auckland. They will continue to be vital to the region's economy in the future. The waterfront is also the region's gateway to the Waitemata Harbour, the Hauraki Gulf and its islands beyond.

The vision for the waterfront is of a world-class destination that excites the senses and celebrates our sea-loving Pacific culture and maritime history. It supports commercially successful and innovative businesses. It is a place rich in character and activities that link people to the city and sea.

Wynyard Point, also known as the 35 hectare tank farm, represents a unique regeneration opportunity for Aucklanders. As leases currently held by the bulk liquids industry and other activities expire over the next 20 years, there is potential to redevelop both the land for residential and commercial purposes and enable the marine and fishing industries to keep operating.

Auckland City's main interests are in getting the right amount and type of public open space, an efficient transport network, and infrastructure and managing the form of development. We also want to make sure that urban design reflects the character of the area and that the marine and fishing industry are part of the Wynyard Point's future.

Flat Bush

New Zealand's newest town Flat Bush is in the south-eastern area of Manukau. It will be home to more than 40,000 people by 2020. The aim is to create a town that enhances the area's natural environment and heritage. It will have a high quality of urban design and will reduce people's dependence on the car.
The opportunity to build a completely new town on 1700 hectares of undeveloped land is loaded with potential and exciting challenges. After eight years of detailed planning, bulk earthworks and construction of roading and other infrastructure works is well underway.
The heart and soul of Flat Bush will be a new 18 hectare town centre, integrated with the new 94 hectare Barry Curtis Park, 'a regionally significant park that reflects the people and cultures of Manukau'. Key features of the park include:

Multi-sports complex, premier sports fields and training facilities
Cultural lawn and an amphitheatre for large scale events
Large theme playground
Picnic area with covered facilities
Wetlands with ponds and boardwalks
An education centre
Neighbourhood parks with community focused playgrounds and facilities
Signature areas with characteristic tree plantings, sculptures and recreation areas.

http://www.manukau.govt.nz/default.aspx?id=2818

http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/projects/waterfront/default.asp

Field Trip 2: Volcanic Auckland – extinct cultural monoliths or living legends?

Co-hosted by:

Auckland City Council, Manukau City Council & Cornwall Park Trust Board

Conference theme:

Emerging / Alternative Models of Parks Management

The city of Auckland is built on and around about 50 volcanic cones and features. The Auckland Volcanic Field is a unique combination of three significant attributes. First, that a spectacular variety of tertiary volcanic features - explosion craters, tuff rings and lava flows have formed in a geographically confined area. Second, that the technically active cone field is the site of intensive urban development. Third and most importantly, for its ongoing powerful cultural significance to Maori and the frequent existence of world-class fortified terraced habitation sites on cones.

An opportunity exists to rekindle the fires of ahi kaa, and strengthen the relationships of iwi with the maunga (mountains) on both Maungawhau (Mt Eden) and Mangere mountain. Involve, inform and educate people about the stories of the mountain, and protect their archaeological and geological values.

[Field trip would take in Maungawhau (Mt Eden), Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill) and Mangere mountain. At Maungawhau there is an opportunity to take a hikoi (guided walk) led by local iwi, telling stories of the mountain and their aspirations for its management. Visitor Centres are proposed at both Maungawhau and Mangere mountain]

http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=34060
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/projects/mteden/history.asp

Field Trip 3: From Ranges to Sea

Hosted by:

Waitakere City Council

Conference Theme:

Irrelevant, Nice to Have or the Key to the World's Future?

A wealth of natural environments and cultural diversity make Waitakere- the fifth largest city in New Zealand - special.

The city’s urban area, shaped by post-war expansion, is a network of villages, town centres and suburban sprawl within a spectacular natural landscape, in the western sector of New Zealand's major metropolitan area, Auckland.

Waitakere is blessed with a unique natural heritage dominated by the regional icon of the Waitakere Ranges, native forests, and the wild west coast with its soaring cliffs, sheltered bays, black sand and thundering surf. In contrast are the peaceful waters of the Waitemata Harbours lapping our eastern shore.

Waitakere City Council and the Auckland Regional Council are both working within the City to ensure the integration of significant, interconnected park land within the City environment. Esplanade (stream) reserves and significant vegetation/bush areas contribute to a large proportion of the parks space in the City. These areas provide for a range of functions, including amenity, flood control, water quality, ecology, biodiversity and recreation. The inherent multitude of functions shows how these areas are and will be vitally important to the world’s future but the management of the sometimes conflicting functions presents challenges.

This field trip will take a varied journey from the sea (Waitemata Harbour) along a major stream corridor park that connects at its source to the spectacular, nationally significant forest of the Waitakere Ranges Regional parkland. Along the way numerous different park developments, community initiatives and conservation management policies and programmes, will highlight the challenges and potential of green corridor parks within the urban fabric of a City.

Are these types of parks, irrelevant, nice to have, or the key to the world’s future?

Field Trip 4: Crimson and Clover

Hosted by:

Department of Conservation

Take a boat trip to Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park:

The largest pohutukawa forest on Earth emerging from the youngest and largest of Auckland's iconic volcanic cones, 600 year old Rangitoto meets ancient Gondwanaland in the rolling green farmed hills and restored forests of Motutapu in the sparkling Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. We will explore a wide range of management aspects of these twin island reserves.

At a high level the DOC Auckland Conservancy will be in active post-consultation phase for our 10-year Conservation Management Strategy that sets the direction for development of our "special places" such as the Gulf islands. The Hauraki Gulf Forum, a conglomerate of territorial authorities, national government agencies and iwi will discuss the development of the wider Marine Park. The plans for the complete mammalian pest eradication of both islands in the next few years will be discussed in situ and the technical finesse of the toxin drop operation examined.

Rangitoto features various concessionaires, from honey production, the Fullers ferry and tractor train concession (though we won't have time for the summit views), and sea kayaking. The 1920s historic bach communities which are being restored for public use by a community trust will be visited. The development of cultural educational hikoi or guided walks by iwi is being developed.

Motutapu has the Motutapu Outdoor Education Camp at Admiralty Bay, once a US Marine WWII military camp, now one of the last true outdoor experiences for urban school children. The Motutapu Restoration Trust, now 10 years in operation, have planted more forest than there is on Tiritiri but the scale of Motutapu hides this fact. The Trust has recently reopened the Home Bay Wharf on the eastern shores and has established a Walk Motutapu track system all around the island. Home Bay is a popular DOC campground in summer. The Trust runs an active tree nursery and weed-busting operation to cater to over 1000 volunteers per year. Motutapu Farms runs a working farm. The potential for carbon sequestration and native species sanctuary on post-eradication Motutapu is emerging. The Sundae site offers archaeological evidence of tangata whenua who witnessed the eruptive emergence of Rangitoto from the sea. New digital technologies will be featured showing the virtual recreation of the WWII gun emplacements.

Field Trip 5: Tawharanui Open Sanctuary: Keeping conservation relevant though community engagement

(Field trip will follow the Parks Forum Peer Review Framework)

Hosted by:

Auckland Regional Council

Conference theme:

Influencing and Changing the Agenda /

Are parks relevant, nice to have or the key to the world’s future in the context of future world trends?

Tawharanui Open Sanctuary (mainland island) is situated on the peninsula north of Auckland. It integrates the conservation of native species, farming, camping, and public recreation, allowing visitors to get in touch with nature and the species within. The ARC is also the application to change the status of the adjacent Marine Park to a 400 hectare Marine Reserve.

The project was implemented in 2004 with the erection of a 2.5 kilometre pest proof fence across the peninsula, supported by intensive pest eradication, to create the Open Sanctuary. Visitor education, including checking gear before visiting, and taking rubbish home, helps prevent pests from entering the sanctuary.

The Open Sanctuary is close to offshore islands acting as a stepping stone for native birds like the Kereru and Kaka. Bellbird colonised Tawharanui from Little Barrier Island in 2006 and are now widespread throughout the park.

The Open Sanctuary has meant that projects such as the reintroduction of North Island brown kiwi, pateke (brown teal), robins, whiteheads and mokomoko geckos have been released and the self introduction of bellbirds from Little Barrier Island has been recorded. Future reintroduction plans include kakariki, and threatened plants.

Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society (TOSSI)
The Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society Inc (TOSSI) was created to help the Open Sanctuary become a reality through fundraising and volunteer work. TOSSI works in partnership with the Auckland Regional Council on this project.
TOSSI fundraised for the pest proof fence through two campaigns. ‘The Art in the Woolshed' exhibited paintings, sculpture, and ceramics by local artists, and the ‘Get in Behind' campaign encouraged people to buy a metre of fence.
You can find further information about TOSSI at http://www.tossi.org.nz/
The field trip will showcase:

This park’s integrated model of recreation, conservation and farming
Wetland and terrestrial enhancement and restoration of dunelands, native forest and coastal areas
Volunteer and inter-agency partnerships
Visitor growth – currently 200,000 visitors each year
Establishment of a marine reserve adjacent to the park

Opportunities to be considered within the Parks Forum Peer Review framework are:

Pest control – issues, lessons learned and future management
Learnings that can be applied to the establishment of a second open sanctuary at Shakespear Regional Park
Concessionaire opportunities
The impacts of a growing neighbouring community – Matakana
Phase one of the project is now complete. Where to from here?

tawharanui 2

Carbon zero
Tree planting activities at Tawharanui will offset the carbon footprint of this field trip.

Tawharanui Regional Park

http://www.arc.govt.nz/albany/main/parks/our%2Dparks/parks%2Din%2Dthe%2Dregion/tawharanui/

Tawharanui Open Sanctuary

http://www.arc.govt.nz/albany/index.cfm?A6FA346B-14C2-3D2D-B961-557E260B50CB

Parks Forum Peer Review

A Parks Forum Peer Review is a service offered to member agencies to assist them to develop business excellence. A Review Team looks at documented strategy, resources, and activities; interviews key stakeholders, staff and customers; and views park products and services within a standard framework. The framework focuses on seven areas of excellence:

Leadership
Strategy and planning
Knowledge and information
People
Customer and market focus
Innovation, quality and improvement
Success and sustainability

Feedback is provided by way of a standardised report that includes the identification of strengths, opportunities and identification of best or leading practices.

Find out more on the Parks Forum Peer Review by visiting the members' resources section of the Parks Forum website. Or follow this link for a brief overview.