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Advocates of the Tongariro River formed to safeguard
world-renowned river
Preservation and enhancement of the Tongariro River are the key objectives
of a newly formed action group dedicated to ensuring the well being of New
Zealand's most prestigious wild trout fishery.
Based in Turangi, but canvassing for support throughout New Zealand, the
Advocates of the Tongariro River has the primary goal of addressing and
promoting conservation issues relating to the management and health of the
river and its surrounds.
Acting Chairman, Dr Mark Cosgrove believes it's important the river has a
"voice" in the face of increasingly complex management issues, which have
arisen in recent years.
" We were concerned that New Zealand's most famous trout river appeared to
have had no dedicated group committed to its long term sustainability.
Other
rivers
throughout New Zealand have guardians working to preserve habitats and
surrounding environments, but in reality, none of these rivers have the
stature of the Tongariro, which is a vitally important wild fishery and
economic resource of national importance. We felt it was time to act,"
says
Dr Cosgrove.
Action will be in the form of promoting management strategies and
proposals
for the river, in association with local Iwi, central and local
government,
Environment Waikato and local interest groups. Environmental concerns such
as river flow, water quality, river diversion, silt build up, erosion,
tree
removal, the impact of lake Taupo water levels, willow infestation and
flooding in the Delta area will be addressed, along with all other matters
to do with maintaining the fishery habitat and river environment over the
long term.
Acting committee member and local fishing guide Heather Macdonald sees one
of the functions of Advocates group being the development of a database of
scientists and others who have the expertise needed to inform decision
making .
"We need to do more research into issues affecting the river and raise
relevant
questions about its future well being. The Tongariro is a fantastic asset
with a unique heritage, attracting visitors and fisherman from all around
the world.
Preserving what we have must be a priority for all of us, but the problems
and
issues need to be faced now rather than later when they will be much
harder
to resolve.
The Advocates of the Tongariro River believe collaboration with interest
groups, central and local government is fundamental to achieving the
group's
objectives.
The group will be involved in liaising with relevant government agencies,
as
it
sees responsibility for world heritage assets like the Tongariro requiring
government support and involvement.
The group intends to operate as an information source, identifying, with
interested parties, gaps in research and information. It will seek the
best
scientific
knowledge on river management and bring this to the attention of members
and
local interest groups through seminars and publications.
A seminar series is being planned for Easter 2003 and a newsletter has
been
proposed. The group also wishes to act as an archive and forum for issues
affecting the river and will welcome the involvement of all interested
parties.
To become a member of the Advocates for the Tongariro River (Inc) please
contact the Treasurer, PO Box 335. Turangi. The membership fee is $10 and
donations are
welcome. The Advocates are a non-profit organization and all fees and
donations will be used to offset administration costs, for the production of a
newsletter and the funding of seminars.
For further information, please contact Dr Mark Cosgrove on 0800 386 783.
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