Have your say on the Motutere Reserve Management Plan

Taupō District Council is reviewing the Motutere Reserve Management Plan and wants to hear the community’s views and suggestions.

This feedback will help influence what is included in the final draft plan.

The reserve is at Motutere Bay, on the eastern shore of Lake Taupō. It is classified under the Reserves Act 1977 as a recreation reserve.

The reserve management plan’s key purpose is to ensure the use and management of the reserve provides for recreation, and the protection of amenity, cultural and scientific values. A public ‘right of way’ around the lake edge protects public access to the lake foreshore.

A major feature of the reserve is the Motutere Bay Holiday Park campground. Foreshore camping provides both caravan sites and sites for casual camping. This section of the reserve provides access to a sheltered, sandy swimming beach and a boat ramp. Across the road is the main campground area.

Taupō District Council also has water and wastewater treatment plants located on the reserve.

The Motutere Reserve has great cultural significance to Ngāti Te Rangiita, a hapū of Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

A committee made up of Taupō District councillors and Ngāti Te Rangiita representatives has been established to oversee the review. This review will provide clarity for the community on the management of the reserve, regardless of any future administration arrangements.

The first round of consultation is now open and closes at 9am on Monday 15 January. Stakeholders, including campground users, and the wider Taupō District community are invited to provide suggestions on the use, enjoyment, and maintenance of the reserve. These suggestions will help form the draft of a revised plan.

The second round of consultation, in mid-2024, will invite feedback on the draft plan.

Council will hold a number of engagement events for members of the public to drop in and learn more about the Motutere Reserve and the consultation progress.

Motutere Reserve Management Plan review engagement events:

• Wednesday 6 December, Motutere Campground Function Room, 2pm to 4pm.
• Thursday 14 December, Taupō Library, 10am to 11am.
• Tuesday 19 December, Tūrangi Customer and Visitor Information Centre, 1pm to 3pm.
• Wednesday 20 December, Motutere Campground Function Room, 5pm to 7pm.
• Friday 5 January 2024, Motutere Campground Function Room, 1pm to 3pm.

For more information and to make a submission, go to www.taupo.govt.nz/motutere.