Whakaipō Bay Recreation Reserve Plan (PDF, 1,309K)
Updates: 1 December 2016 changes to camping at Whakaipō Bay
This non-statutory management plan was developed to ensure effective management of the Whakaipō Bay Recreation Reserve near Lake Taupō for a period of ten years 2016-2026.
Whakaipō Bay Recreation Reserve is located on the northern shores of Lake Taupō, approximately 11 kilometres from the Taupō town centre and accessed via Māpara Road. The Whakaipō Bay Recreation Reserve is 45.4 hectares in land area, and is highly valued by the community as a unique and beautiful place that is treasured for its serenity and unspoilt feel. Despite only being a fifteen minute drive from Taupō township, Whakaipō Bay has a remoteness and ‘out of this world’ quality that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Whakaipō Bay and the land within the reserve has significant historical and cultural value to Māori.
Increasing recreational use of the reserve, and the growth of freedom camping following the enactment of the Freedom Camping Act 2011, was placing increasing pressure on Whakaipō Bay Recreation Reserve. There was also community concern emerging regarding the management of the reserve.
The Department's response was to initiate a project plan to undertake public consultation and formulation of a non-statutory management plan.
Whilst this has been a project lead by the Department, the philosophy of the project has been ‘He waka eke noa’, meaning ‘a canoe which we are all in with no exception’. A project steering group was formed with representatives from the Department of Conservation, the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, Taupō District Council and the community. A working group was also formed including a community representative, and a substantial community consultation process was launched.
The management plan is a non-statutory document designed to assist DOC and the wider community to manage the significant values that exist on the reserve. In particular the management plan will assist with identifying values and setting priorities for physical works and projects on the reserve, and as a means of building stronger relationships with community groups, local hapū and other organisations in the delivery of those works and projects.
The objective of the plan is to ensure effective management of the Whakaipō Bay area for the next ten years.
The overall management goal is to maintain and protect Whakaipō Bay as a beautiful area valued by locals, while maximising its recreational use. There are four focus areas for the management plan aligned with DOC’s intermediate outcomes: