OVERVIEW OF NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY FOR TAI TOKERAU

1
OVERVIEW OF NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY FOR TAI
TOKERAU

• Coral Grant and Brenda Hay,
• AquaBio Consultants Ltd.
• Auckland.

2
WHY CHAMPION NATURE BASED TOURISM IN TAI TOKERAU?

• NZs high quality natural environment is known
  worldwide
• 70 of international visitors to NZ visit at
  least one national park
• The natural environment of Tai Tokerau has a
  special character not replicated anywhere else in
  NZ
• In terms of use of public trust land, Northland
  has the lowest number of tourism based
  concessions allocated by DoC
• Sustainable nature based tourism is suggested to
  have the lowest impact when compared to other
  forms of tourism

3
SUCCESSION OF RESEARCHERS

• Varying Research Personnel
• Resulting in different skill sets
• Used same general criteria for site selection
• Dr. Neil Mitchell Dr. Geoff Park
• North South Hokianga
• Dr. Neil Mitchell, Helena Skalova, /or Fiona
  George
• Bay of Islands, Aupouri Peninsula
• Dr. Coral Grant Brenda Hay
• Whangaroa region

4
OBJECTIVES OF THIS RESEARCH

• To identify the potential for sustainable
  nature-based tourism
• To identify ecologically suitable sites for
  nature based tourism
• To identify the criteria used to select these
  sites

5
METHODOLOGY

• Select primary areas from broad scale inventory
  mapping
• Gather local knowledge
• Site visits (guided by local iwi or hapu
  representatives)
• Workshops and informal discussion with
  individuals
• Site visits and evaluation with specific nature
  based tourism opportunities in mind

6
CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING PRIMARY SITES

• Large and Ecologically Diverse - capacity to soak
  up effects of tourism
• Ecologically Distinctive - possibly unique
• Typical or Characteristic of a Region
• Forested hillside
• Exposed coastal areas
• Harbours

7
CRITERIA FOR REFINING INITIAL SITE SELECTION

• Illustrate origin and evolution of environment
• Panoramic views
• Experience gained by entering site
• Capability of a site to provide a range of
  tourism experiences

8
TYPES OF TOURISM EXPERIENCES RELATING TO NATURAL
RESOURCES

• Immersion in natural/wilderness setting - remote
  unspoiled
• Authentic nature of the region
• Ecological novelty - rare plants and animals
• Adventure opportunities
• Viewing natural features of the landscape
• Opportunity to increase knowledge
• Interaction with indigenous people and culture

9
CRITERIA FOR SUSTAINABILITY

• Ecological Sustainability
• Site Sensitivity to Visitor Pressure - dependent
  on the type of activity undertaken
• Cultural Sensitivity - wahi tapu areas, or
  species of particular cultural significance

10
RESULTS -1

• In many regions large conserved forested areas
  provide good potential for nature-based tourism
• Warawara Forest - North Hokianga
• Waima Range - South Hokianga
• Puketi-Omahuta Forest - Whangaroa region
• Adding value to this experience by providing
  knowledgeable guides is desirable

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• Some existing tourism based development
• Multiple tourism activities possible
• Large size means tourism and conservation
  possible
• Large size also gives capacity to create unique
  experiences
• Provide examples of several ecotypes
• High diversity of native fauna and flora

12
RESULTS -2

• Several coastal sites were also identified as
  having sustainable nature-based tourism
  potential
• North Head Sand Dunes - North Hokianga
• Takou Bay - Bay of Islands
• Spirits Bay - Aupouri Peninsula
• Cavalli Islands - Whangaroa region

13

• Provide examples of several ecotypes
• Easy or difficult access

• Scenic appeal
• In some areas extensive tourism development
• Multiple tourism activities possible

14
GENERAL RESULTS

• Inventory far easier in the terrestrial
  environment
• More existing information
• Easier to evaluate environmental effects of
  tourism
• East coast regions - more tourism opportunity on
  open coast compared to west coast
• In some areas the terrestrial environment is
  downplayed because of a high quality marine
  environment
• Terrestrial nature based tourism may be used to
  alleviate stress on marine environment
• Access in several areas is difficult
• improve roading and signage

15
EMERGING ISSUES

• Initial concept that iwi/hapu will be willing to
  share their knowledge of natural areas sometimes
  not correct
• Idea that a resource inventory may be giving away
  private information to outsiders - e.g. good
  fishing areas etc.

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MAIN OUTCOME

• Resource inventory process good when community
  involvement strong
• Although sensitivity towards giving away valuable
  knowledge about natural resources exists, the
  process can still be valuable in providing tools
  for future resource inventory evaluation
• Evaluation criteria - Provides potential for
  local Maori to undertake a resource inventory of
  other sites not covered by the current work