Show the reserve the care and respect it deserves
As a regular picnic visitor to Mangaokewa, may I pose three questions to the administering authority, presumably, Waitomo District Council.
(1) Why are there no rubbish bins in the park? (and don’t give me the “take the rubbish home bit”) (2) Why is there no camping allowed, not even for fully serviced vehicles? (don’t you want extra money in town?) (3) Has any member of the council staff had a look at the road in the reserve recently? I recommend that you do so. It adds a new meaning to the word “neglect”.
This is a beautiful reserve, so look after it.
Bill Conroy Ōtorohanga
Jeff Neems, Department of Conservation (DoC) communication and media adviser editor responds:
DoC’s Maniapoto District team shares Bill’s frustrations with how Mangaokewa Reserve is being treated by some members of the community.
DoC and Ngāti Rora have repeatedly pleaded with the public to show the reserve the care and respect it deserves.
To answer Bill’s questions:
Why are there no rubbish bins in the park? (and don’t give me the “take the rubbish home bit!)”
Mangaokewa Reserve is a “pack in, pack out” reserve. DoC wants visitors to this site to take their rubbish with them and dispose of it correctly.
We stand by this position as it enables people to contribute to conservation and care for the reserve directly.
We urge visitors to Mangaokewa Reserve to report fly-tipping, vandalism and anti-social behaviour to DoC and NZ Police.
Rubbish dumping on public conservation land is illegal, and we also note local councils provide rubbish disposal services for their residents and visitors. Why is there no camping allowed; not even for fully serviced vehicles? (don’t you want extra money in town?)
When it was under Waitomo District Council management, Mangaokewa Reserve was a location people could use for overnight camping.
When DoC took over the management of the reserve a few years ago, we continued this informal arrangement.
Ngāti Rora has a particularly significant connection to Mangaokewa Reserve, and it’s expected to be handed back to iwi as part of the recent Treaty of Waitangi settlement.
Ngāti Rora’s clear preference is for an end to overnight camping at the site, which we agreed to in 2022.
Has any member of the council staff had a look at the road in the reserve recently? I recommend that you do so. It adds a new meaning to the word “neglect”.
DoC does have responsibility for the road within the reserve and we are aware it needs some remedial work. This particular site is on our maintenance list, and we are working to clear a backlog of roading work in our district, and confirm a contractor who can do the job.
Part of the road is the responsibility of Waitomo District Council and we’re aiming to work with the council to get the job done once, all at the same time.
