Far North Mayor John Carter has offered to call a second meeting of stakeholders, to help progress the issue of access to the coastline at Taronui.

He hosted an online meeting yesterday (December 17), attended by representatives from the Far North District Council, the Department of Conservation, those calling for improved access to the coastline at Taronui and a representative of a group of four neighbouring property owners, who oppose.

Ngāti Rēhia, mana whenua and kaitiaki for this place, sent an apology.

Focus of the meeting was a compromise option, designed to mitigate concerns raised earlier by Ngāti Rēhia.

The hapu said they were concerned about overuse, overfishing and protection of wahi tapu areas.

We have changed our initial request (which sought vehicle access to the top of the hill above the beach).

The new option allows public vehicles to drive some way on the track. This will reduce the current walking distance to Taronui Recreation Reserve from the current challenging 3.7km to about 1.4km.

There will still be a good walk to the Taronui Recreation Reserve - 850m walk to the reserve and a final 580m walk through the reserve to the beach, providing a buffer.

Our dream is that we can improve public access, while enhancing the reserve as a place that engenders respect and wonder, recognising Ngāti Rēhia’s cultural landscape and creating educational opportunities for our tamariki to learn about culture, history and the environment.

To remind you, access to the reserve is via a Crown owned conservation strip which provides a legally available public access.

DOC manages the road, which runs between Purerua Road and the reserve, as a walking track.

Hamish Eglinton, speaking for DOC, acknowledged that the department’s conservation management strategies support exploring the possibility of improving public access to Taronui, but only where it is practical.

DOC reaffirmed a previous stance that it does not see the project as a priority, citing lack of resources.

Bay of Islands – Whangaroa Ward Councillor David Clendon said he thought the new option was a reasonable compromise that most would be able to live with.

Mayor Carter said the virtual meeting had been useful in providing information and his office would now gather stakeholders together for further face to face meeting ‘to help move it forward’.

The picture, above, is taken from the top of the hill. You will have walked 850m to reach the reserve and from here there is a final 580m walk through the reserve to the beach.