A major new strategy to improve the health of Manukau Harbour has today been unanimously adopted by Auckland Council’s Policy, Planning and Development Committee. It sets a long-term direction to restore the harbour's mauri, strengthen biodiversity, improve water quality and build resilience to climate change.
Mayor Wayne Brown emphasises the significance of the Manukau Harbour and the importance of having a strategy to protect and sustain the harbour.
"Like the Waitematā Harbour and the Kaipara Harbour, the Manukau Harbour is one of Auckland's greatest natural taonga, deeply valued by communities, mana whenua and all those who care for its future. I am passionate about all of Auckland’s harbours and the work Sea Cleaners have done in cleaning out the creeks that feed into all of our harbours. While progress has been made, the Manukau Harbour continues to face significant environmental pressures that require a coordinated and sustained response,” says Mayor Brown.
“We know we cannot achieve this alone. By working together with mana whenua, communities, businesses, government agencies and environmental organisations, we can make meaningful progress towards restoring the harbour's health and mauri, protecting biodiversity and improving outcomes for future generations."
‘Revitalise Manukau Harbour: Auckland Council's strategy for a thriving Manukau Harbour’ provides the framework for how the council group will focus and align its planning, regulatory, investment and partnership activities to support better environmental outcomes for the harbour over time.
The strategy responds to ongoing and historic concerns about the harbour's environmental health, including sedimentation, nutrient enrichment, habitat loss, microplastics, marine pests and the growing impacts of a changing climate.
Chair of Auckland Council's Policy, Planning and Development Committee, Councillor Richard Hills, says the strategy marks an important step forward in the long-term restoration of one of the most significant natural environments in Tāmaki Makaurau.
"This strategy gives the Auckland Council Group a clear framework for how we can make the biggest difference for the Manukau Harbour. It brings together work already underway across the council and helps ensure our planning, infrastructure, regulatory and investment decisions are all supporting the same environmental outcomes,” says Cr Hills.
"The challenges facing the harbour are complex, and improving its health will require us to be focused, coordinated and deliberate with our actions. By prioritising the areas where our influence can have the greatest impact, this strategy will help guide investment and strengthen collaboration across the council group – supporting better outcomes for water quality, biodiversity, climate resilience and community wellbeing over the long term."
A vision for the future
The strategy builds on work undertaken since Auckland Council adopted a long-term vision and environmental outcomes for the harbour in 2024. That vision is: ‘The Manukau Harbour is healthy and thriving. Its mauri is restored, and life is abundant. Its people are well.’
To help achieve that vision, the strategy sets out eight objectives focused on reducing sediment, nutrients, waste and microplastics, supporting habitat and species recovery, managing marine pests and pathogens, supporting cultural wellbeing, and helping people connect with and care for the harbour.
Georgina Hart, Principal Analyst, Natural Environment Strategy, says the strategy is grounded in scientific evidence, community priorities and mātauranga Māori through engagement with mana whenua.
"The strategy recognises that the harbour is an interconnected, living system stretching from the land and waterways of its catchment through to the coastal environment.
"The latest Manukau Harbour state of environment synthesis report shows that some parts of the harbour remain healthy and resilient, but there are also areas where sediment, nutrients and habitat degradation continue to affect environmental health. The strategy identifies where the council can have the greatest influence and sets priorities for long-term action.
"Importantly, it also recognises that Auckland Council cannot restore the harbour by itself. Success will depend on working closely with mana whenua, communities, businesses, landowners, government agencies and environmental partners across the catchment."
The strategy recognises the strong connections between activities on land and the health of the harbour.
It also strengthens Auckland Council's existing commitment to working with mana whenua and supporting their kaitiakitanga for the harbour.
Implementation will be led across the Auckland Council group, with work beginning on planning for implementation, early opportunities and identification of associated resourcing required, communications and monitoring to track progress over time.
ENDS
Additional information:
The Manukau Harbour is New Zealand's second largest harbour, covering approximately 365 square kilometres and with more than 450 kilometres of shoreline. It is home to internationally significant bird populations, diverse marine habitats and supports recreational, cultural and ecological values for communities across Auckland.
The strategy includes five long-term outcomes focused on:
- Water quality
- Harbour biodiversity
- Climate resilience
- Exercise of kaitiakitanga by mana whenua
- People taking care of the harbour.
It also sets eight objectives to guide Auckland Council's contribution towards restoring the harbour's environmental health.