Protecting Waipiro Bay: Patukeha's Stance on the Proposed Marina

Waipiro Bay is a taonga of whenua, moana, and memory, and for many whānau who call this home, it is one of the few food baskets remaining in the region. Recently, a proposal has surfaced to fast-track construction of a 250-berth commercial marina there, under the Fast-Track Approvals Act.

Regretfully, this proposal under the Fast-Track Approvals Act has been accepted.

Patukeha firmly opposes this development in its current form. We stand guided by these principles:

• Kaitiakitanga & cultural integrity: Waipiro Bay is not just a site for commerce. It is a living ecosystem, a customary fishing ground, a repository of whakapapa and tikanga. Any development that threatens the health of marine species, water quality, local pipi and scallop beds, or traditional gathering must be critically challenged.
• Respectful process and genuine participation: The fast-track process severely truncates public consultation and limits meaningful input from hapū and local communities. We reject a pathway that sidelines voices of those most affected.
• Questionable economic claims: Developers claim the marina would bring $177–$218 million in value‐added GDP and around 140 full-time job equivalents over 30 years. But these projections are contested - many existing berths around Northland remain underused, and the infill of 250 additional vessels could oversaturate demand.
• Precedent and risks: If a large commercial marina is allowed through fast-track here, it sets a dangerous precedent for other coastal sites. The threat of invasive seaweeds (e.g. caulerpa), increased vessel traffic, and erosion of the special character of our bays must be considered.

We assert that true development must not overwrite our voice or compromise the environmental and spiritual integrity of Waipiro Bay. We continue to pursue avenues to get this development stopped.