Te Raekaihau Point and Cook Strait
Wellington City Council is planning to restore Te Raekaihau Point, which is between Houghton Bay and Lyall Bay.
The restoration of Te Raekaihau Point follows on from a number of projects completed around Wellington's South Coast that have improved the environment, accessibility and provided more recreation opportunities.
The Council is planning to spend a maximum of $350,000 enhancing the area commencing in 2010. The work will be mostly funded from the Plimmer Bequest.
The Environment
Te Raekaihau Point is a wave-cut platform that was raised out of the sea by the 1855 Wairarapa Earthquake. It is very exposed to Wellington's weather - Te Raekaihau Point translates as "the headland that eats the wind".
Vegetation islands created by vehicles
The area is not in its original state. The site has had fill dumped on it from road building. Uncontrolled vehicle activity, weeds and pests have also taken their toll. Aerial photographs show a decline in shrubs and more vehicle tracks and vegetation islands since 1945.
Ecologists have suggested that intervention will be needed to help the coastal ecosystems recover from the continued degradation, otherwise more indigenous species will disappear. Some of the common plant species present include taupata (Coprosma repens), small leaved pohuehue (Muehlenheckia complexa) and the New Zealand iceplant (Disphyma australe).
An ecological restoration project is being prepared for this site and will include:
- planting locally sourced species appropriate for the area
- reintroducing some rare and threatened species
- only creating communities that would have originally existed on the point
- removing exotic species, invasive pests and weeds.
The recently created Taputeranga Marine Reserve, that starts just west of Te Raekaihau Point, will protect the marine environment and allow it to prosper.
Taputeranga Marine Reserve - Department of Conservation website
Recreation
The area is used for a range of recreation activities:
- sightseeing - expansive views of Cook Strait
- stargazing - astronomers like the very low artificial light levels
- diving - divers use the area to access the sea
- gathering seafood and fish
- swimming and picnicking - popular in neighbouring Princess Bay.
Issues
During March and April 2009, the Council asked for community feedback and ideas for the restoration. The feedback has been used to help develop the draft Landscape Plan for the area.
Some of the values and issues raised included:
- keeping unobstructed views
- retaining the rugged and wild coastal environment
- keeping the site undeveloped and informal
- making the Point accessible to a range of users
- limiting car parking.
Other Considerations
Te Raekaihau Point
The Plimmer Bequest can only be used to beautify the city's bays, beaches and reserves so some aspects of the upgrade work might not be funded from the bequest.
Any work carried out at the Point will also need to comply with the District Plan and the South Coast Management Plan.
District Plan
Te Raekaihau Point is zoned Open Space B in the District Plan. Section 16.3 of the District Plan states "Open Space B land is valued for its natural character and informal open spaces. It involves areas that are used for types of recreation that, in the broadest sense, do not involve buildings or structures. The intention is to keep such areas in an unbuilt or natural state."
District Plan - Chapter 16 (97Kb PDF)
South Coast Management Plan
The primary objective of the South Coast Management Plan is:
"To protect and enhance the coastal character of Wellington's South Coast".
Other objectives include:
- "To enhance and, where possible, restore the natural values of the coast, while providing for the recreational and leisure desires of visitors / users
- To meet the needs of coastal visitors / users and the City, while ensuring any infrastructure or facilities are developed in sympathy with the coastal environment
- To manage the coast as a public asset with the assistance of the community in conjunction with our Treaty partners (in accordance with the memoranda of understanding held with the Council)."
Feedback
The Council is seeking feedback on the draft Landscape Plan and development of the Ecological Restoration Plan for Te Raekaihau Point. Feedback closes on 20 November.
Next Steps
The Landscape Plan will be updated depending on public feedback and the Ecological Restoration plan will be completed by the end of this year.
Work will start onsite in April 2010. The planting and weed and pest control programme are planned to run for the next five years.
More Information
Peter Hemsley
Coastal Manager
Phone: (04) 803 8166
Email: peter.hemsley
Megan Duncan
Recreation Planner
Phone: (04) 803 8323
Email: megan.duncan
Related Links
- Report to Strategy and Policy Committee - 11.12.08 - Plimmer Bequest Forward Programme (397Kb PDF)
- Strategy and Policy Committee Minutes - 11.12.08 (93Kb PDF)
Department Details:
Open Space & Recreation Planning
