The right to access our big blue backyard

Wednesday, 18th January, 2017
Subject; Access to Little Huia beach for launching of trailer mounted fishing boats.

This morning I was an uninvited attendee to a meeting held on the Little Huia beach foreshore, over 20 people attended this meeting, the majority, like myself, had only been informed the meeting was taking place within the previous two hours, so therefore had no clear understanding of its purpose or content. It was revealed, at the meeting, that last year a petition had circulated to a chosen portion of the public. What exactly the signatories of this petition are asking for was not told to the meeting and the petition was not read or copies handed around. But based on the meeting’s content it is fair to assume the selected group that had supported this petition were requesting Auckland Council take action to keep a separation between Boaties and swimmers when using the beach.
All the people at this meeting were locals with the exception of Waitakere Ranges Regional Park Principal Ranger who was representing Auckland Council. Several of the attendees were also Manukau Sports Fishing Club members. Almost all the people at this meeting were my neighbours and/or friends and acquaintances. Easily half of the people that were at this meeting are members of my extended family. I believe there are few people who think a serious conflict between fishermen and swimmers exists at Little Huia beach. I have formed this opinion based on the numerous conversations I have had with people over the past few years and there was nothing said at Wednesday’s meeting to change my mind. There will always be one or two protagonists on either side of the discussion but the community cannot allow the swearing and cursing, and one sided arrogance of a few to bring a stop to the recreational activities of the silent majority.
Most people, including the people attending the meeting, agree there is huge room for new public facilities and improvements to existing public infrastructure at Little Huia. These include the well overdue upgrade of the existing boat ramp, improvements to the public road, enlarged turning circles for vehicles pulling off the beach, improved road signage and a daytime presence of Park Rangers over the summer and fishing season and particularly on public holidays. None of these suggestions (reinforced at the meeting) were dismissed by councils Principal Ranger as unworthy of implementation, but he was quick to point out that Auckland Council has limited funds. Finishing by saying a modest upgrade of the existing boat ramp would likely use up all of Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, Western sector’s yearly Capital Expenditure budget, in that one project?
The big danger in situations like this is that all, or large groups of the community loses their rights of access, but this is not because one side of the argument wins, it is because the Council want or can’t commit funds to implement the things needed for a fix. Funding shortfalls to fix situations like this are further worsened when council bureaucrats expand the discussion to include silly considerations. Council told the meeting, potential loss of any investment into improved or new public facilities on Little Huia beach foreshore, due to rising sea levels, would need to be taken into consideration. It is Auckland’s quickly rising population that is putting pressure on our communities, not a possible rise in sea level. It is my belief comments like this are used to terminate discussions and place financial roadblocks in the way of otherwise very achievable outcomes. 
Every New Zealander has a right to access their big blue backyard, it’s our heritage, but as Auckland’s population grows we will have to accept we can’t all do it at the same time and in the same place. There are many good beaches to swim at on the north side of the Manukau Harbour, but few boat ramps. I asked Principal Ranger where Auckland Council envisaged another boat launching facility (in the long term) that would give West Auckland recreational fishermen alternative access to the Manukau Harbour, he stumbled in his answer and then replied “good question”.
Aucklanders have stood by in silence as their right to drive to the top of our city’s iconic volcanic cones has been robbed from them, let’s not stand by while our right to launch our boat on a somewhat stony and rocky beach is also taken from us. 
Three years ago my son and I rescued drowning fishermen from the Manukau Bar, at the beginning of this year just several days ago, we again went out and retrieved two people on a disabled jet ski in rough seas, we launched at Little Huia. Next time we launch, I hope it’s to just go fishing, but I know it will be from Little Huia beach.