In December 2005, Te Paepae Aotea (Volkner Rocks) became one of
three new marine reserves for New Zealand now scheduled to be surveyed and
gazetted in the new year.
Located 50km off the Whakatane coastline, Te Paepae Aotea is a
place of outstanding natural and ecological features. It is also a place
of cultural significance as waahi tapu (a sacred place) to tangata whenua
of the area.
Photo courtesy of the Department of Conservation
The volcanic and oceanic nature of the vicinity provides a wide
range of unique features not found elsewhere in the Bay of Plenty. The marine
area around Whakaari (White Island) and Te Paepae Aotea is affected by oceanic,
deep-water influences. The islands lie in the path of the relatively warm east
Auckland current that sweeps down from subtropical regions north of New Zealand,
allowing some rare and many warm water species to flourish, including Spanish
lobster and packhorse crayfish.
As part of the formal application process the marine reserve
proposal received nearly three thousand submissions independently analysed and
considered by the Minister of Conservation to consider. The final boundary for
the reserve was agreed as a result of ongoing consultation with stakeholders,
particularly the local fishing community.
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2 - 9 March 2008
