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The Kaipara Moana is facing severe environmental degradation. Sediment is the main problem with an estimated 700,000 tonnes deposited into the harbour each year (about seven times the amount before human settlement).
About the Kaipara Moana
- It is the largest estuarine water body in the country.
- It spans Auckland and Northland regions
- It is of global ecological and biological significance and profound importance to Māori and recreational users.
- It is the most important snapper nursery area for the west coast of the North Island.
- In 2019, Kaipara was announced as the first exemplar catchment for the At-risk catchments project which is part of the Government's freshwater work programme.
- Find out about the Government freshwater work programme.
They include:
- Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara Development Trust, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua and Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust (together they take the name ‘Kaipara Uri’)
- Northland Regional Council
- Auckland Council.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between project Partners and the Crown in October 2020. A joint committee of Kaipara Uri and councils' representatives was also formed to govern the remediation programme.
Dates for upcoming Kaipara Moana Remediation Joint Committee meetings, and further information on the programme are available on the Kaipara Moana Remediation website.
The Ministry for the Environment administers the $100 million multi-year Kaipara Moana Remediation funding awarded from the Ministry’s Job for Nature funding in 2020. This funding will contribute to a total project cost of $200 million for the first six years of an anticipated ten-year programme with co-funding provided by councils, landowners, industry and others. In August 2021, Northland Regional Council and Auckland Council confirmed their commitment to co-fund the Programme through a combination of their respective Long-Term Plans and other third party contributions as required in the Deed of funding.
Find out about the Jobs for Nature Programme