Frequently asked questions

These plans contain objectives and outcomes for the management and future development of the reserve. They help Council make good decisions about how reserves are used, enjoyed and managed.

The Reserves Act requires that reserve management plans are continuously reviewed. Its common practice for Councils to review plans every ten years. The Motutere Reserve Management Plan was last reviewed in 2004.

Taupō District Council administer the reserve on behalf of the Crown, in accordance with the Reserves Act 1977.

Ngāti Te Rangiita ki Waitetoko hapū are mana whenua of the land.

The Motutere Recreation Reserve Management Plan Committee is formally a committee of Taupō District Council. The Committee provide governance and oversight of the reserve management plan review. During this review period, the Committee carry out the administering body functions under the Reserves Act 1977 for Motutere Recreation Reserve.

The scope of the Committee includes:

1. To receive progress reports on the development of the revised management plan
2. To approve draft changes to the management plan
3. To publicly notify and seek submissions on the draft changes to the management plan
4. To hear comments and feedback from submitters
5. To consider the extent to which submissions will be allowed or accepted or disallowed or not accepted.
6. Seek, where required, the Minister of Conservation’s comments and/or approval of the management plan.
7. Recommend the final draft of the Motutere Recreation Reserve Management Plan to full Council for final approval.

Ōtaiātoa Bay foreshore reserve is not adequately providing for public access and lakeside recreation. Limiting vehicle access to a small parking lot that is visible from SH1 will help improve public safety and manage current anti-social behaviour, including illegal camping and fires. In the long term, we hope to establish a walking and cycling path linking Waitetoko to Motutere Bay. We also plan improvements such as native plantings.

See the proposed changes to lakeshore reserves for more information.

A list of proposed conditions can be found in the draft plan. The focus for Area 1 is to make sure any native vegetation that is removed gets “off-set” with new plantings in another areas of the reserve. The Focus for Area 2 is ensuring there are no adverse effects from the use of this land, which is situated near an old landfill (identified as a contaminated site in planning documents).

The draft RMP also states that a cultural impact assessment would be required for development in both areas. Council staff are working with hapū representatives to provide more detail on exactly what level of change might trigger such an assessment and what it would need to address. This further detail will be considered as part of the deliberations process.

Currently, the entire stretch of Motutere Bay lakeshore is designated for camping. The draft RMP proposes a new public day-use area on the lakeshore.

Motutere Bay is situated within a public recreation reserve. Council needs to ensure everyone can access and enjoy the bay.

Initially the campground catered only to tents but over time it has expanded to include permanent caravans, domes, and motor homes. This transformation has led to issues with safety, erosion, traffic, and access to the boat ramp. Additionally, the exclusivity of the current campground operation has significantly limited public access to the bay.

Proposed improvements include:

• Safe public access to the foreshore.
• Public boat trailer parking on this side of reserve.
• Restoration and enhancement of vegetation on the foreshore.
• Swim only zone.
• Picnic tables and public rest room.

There is an existing campground lease in place that provides rights to the lessee. If a new lease is not able to be negotiated Council may not be able to make some of the proposed changes until the lease expires in 2038.

The proposed changes will also require significant council investment. The timing of that will be dependent on funding approval through the Long-term Plan and Annual Plan processes.

A clearly defined car park will be developed on the lakeshore side of Motutere Bay. Timing of this will be dependent on a new campground lease and council funding.

The boat ramp will continue to be open for public use. The council do not own or manage the boat ramp, it is under the management of the DIA (Lake Taupō Harbourmaster). Currently there is no parking provided on the lakeshore side of the reserve. Parking across the road is provided within the current lease area. A new boat trailer parking area is proposed on the lakeshore side of Motutere Bay.

Currently, users of the reserve swim by the boat ramp and jetty as this is the only clear public access to the lake. It is illegal to swim 50m near a boat ramp, making these activities unlawful and dangerous. The intention is to create a safe swim zone and provide publicly accessible water play equipment (such as a pontoon) at Motutere Bay.

The intention is for a public day-use area only. This will be controlled by a gated barrier that will be closed in the evenings. Council’s compliance team will monitor the lakeshore reserves for illegal camping. Council and the campground owners will continue to educate visitors on where camping can and cannot take place.

The current lease ends 2038. Any new lease or lease renewal is a separate process and will be considered after the adoption of the Reserve Management Plan.

A change of the recreation reserve status is unlikely.

A change in administration is not something being considered as part of this review. This is a different process under the Reserves Act.