Legally it is a pretty straightforward process for the Department of Conservation to support and provide vehicle access to Taronui.

This is what we find in documentation provided recently by the department under the Official Information Act.

As the whole access to the reserve is held for conservation purposes, it would simply be a management decision, within the department, as to how to administer the area.

DOC acknowledges that there has been extensive work done on this issue over more than ten years and sees a need for stakeholders to work together.

Indeed.  

We need a collaborative approach, with Ngāti Rēhia playing a significant role, to restore, enhance and maintain public access to the Taronui Coastal marine area in perpetuity.

Taronui Bay has high cultural values for the hapu.

Indeed Ngāti Rēhia is acknowledged as mana whenua and kaitiaki for this beautiful place and should be involved in a joint management agreement that will ensure protection of wahi tapu sites and preservation of seafood stocks.

The aim is to involve the hapu, the public, affected landowners and DOC in drafting workable options, to achieve benefits for all.

Taronui is a national treasure and it is owned by us - New Zealanders.

The 18.5ha recreation reserve, located on the Purerua Peninsula, features a unique marine environment. There’s an estuary, an off shore reef, a lagoon, a sandy beach, a surf beach, a rocky bay and an interglacial bench.

It offers great educational opportunities.

More than 6800 people have now signed this petition but DOC is not convinced that the petition is an indication of public support so other avenues of people power are needed to get the message across.

There is a threat of an electronic gate being put in place this summer, with a code.

Now, before we are shut out of yet another stretch of coastline, we need to stand up.

Feedback and ideas are welcome. Contact kerimolloy2@gmail.com