In
partnership with Motutapu Restoration Trust, DOC, local Iwi and Auckland
Tourism there is the potential to create the equivalent of another Tiritiri
Matangi on Rangitoto – Motutapu Islands.
To
achieve this and to complete the Motutapu Loop Track, the Motutapu Stream
Bridge needs to be built. The bridge is a key element to opening up public
access to the tracks on the Island.
Consent
to build the bridge has been received from Auckland City Council. $10,000 has been committed by Newmarket and St
Johns Rotary Clubs. We believe this important environmental project represents
a great opportunity for Districts 9920 and 9910 to invest in their local community.
The following is an extract from the St Johns Rotary club bulletin of April 2014:
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To read an earlier article about the Motutapu Restoration Project go to: http://rotarystories-nzandpacific.blogspot.com/2013/03/rotary-saved-largest-pohutukawa-forest.html
The following is an extract from the St Johns Rotary club bulletin of April 2014:
This week we were graced with the presence of
the Honorable Christine Fletcher. Christine gave us some insight on the
Motutapu Restoration project with which she has worked since its inception.
Having worked Rotary since the start of the project, Christine was all
compliments on the consistent contributions provided to the project by the
Newmarket Rotary Club and numerous other Rotary clubs.
Since its creation,
Motutapu has accounted for over 500,000 trees being propagated and planted on
the island. Although some initial discouragement occurred with some
stakeholders suggesting Aucklanders look to further locations for their
recreation, this has been pursued as the closest sanctuary to Auckland.
Motutapu is an Island
within eyesight of Auckland and therefore an ideal location for both
conservation and recreation. They are currently pursuing regular Ferry
transport to the island, an attribute that would certainly lend itself to
increased numbers of visitors and therefore funding.
The conservation
potential of Motutapu is beyond any other location near Auckland. The island
serves as a habitat for Takahe of which there are only a few hundred in
existence as well as the Coromandel Kiwi. These rare birds are not cheap to
introduce to the island with the kiwi costing about $35,000 each. These are but
two of the 61 birds that contribute to the island’s impressive bird chorus.
Motutapu functions as
a farm with all proceeds going to the Department of Conservations’ central
funding pool for all its efforts nationwide. For this reason, alternative
funding specific to Motutapu must be pursued. One source of funding is a
mountain biking event with raised between 40 and 50 thousand dollars thanks in
part to the efforts of over 500 volunteers (Rotarians included).
The history of
Motutapu is as interesting as its diverse current uses. As Auckland’s largest
farm it also served as a defense asset with its numerous tunnels. These tunnels
could possibly provide additional tourist attraction if the funding to make
them suitable is made available.
The uses and benefits
of Motutapu Island are numerous and include both conservation and recreation.
Christine made a note regarding the lack of government funding and the complete
reliance on private funding to provide these valuable resources. As the walkway
project goes forward we must consider why we are left to fund these efforts
privately given their public benefits. Additional efforts will continue to be
made in an attempt to acquire a regular ferry service.
Let us thank the
Honorable Christine Fletcher for her work with the Motutapu Restoration Project
as well as her insight into the future success of the project. We look forward
to continuing to contribute to this project and to take advantage of the
numerous conservation and recreation benefits that it provides.
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To read an earlier article about the Motutapu Restoration Project go to: http://rotarystories-nzandpacific.blogspot.com/2013/03/rotary-saved-largest-pohutukawa-forest.html
