Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve Draft Management Plan

4.2.3 Māori sites
Tangata whenua need to be invited to participate in the identification, preservation
and management of any historical, cultural or archaeological sites of significance to
them, in accordance with Conservation General Policy 5(c) (see Appendix 10).
Tangata whenua need to be given the opportunity to care for these sites in traditional
ways, which in some cases means keeping the location of sites confidential. The
Administration Committee intends to ensure that there is an opportunity for a
representative to be present at archaeological excavations or surveys.
Ngā taonga tūturu and other archaeological evidence of Māori settlements have been
found in almost every bay and on many significant headlands in or adjacent to the
reserve. Protection of some of these sites can present a challenge to the
Administration Committee because of the dynamic nature of the coastal
environment. Natural processes, particularly coastal erosion, are a threat to retaining
sites such as urupā/burial ground. If kōiwi/human bones are exposed tangata
whenua should be consulted over the management of the exposed kōiwi. This usually
results in the area being temporarily protected from the public and further erosion,
until the bones can be removed for reburial. If tangata whenua wish to allow the
natural erosion to continue, access to the area may be restricted until that process is
complete and the kōiwi have been removed naturally.
4.2.4 European sites, relics, and protected New Zealand objects
4.2.5 Threats
European relics, archaeological sites, and protected New Zealand objects, which are
mostly found within the adjacent national park, are important to our understanding
of more recent history from the period of European settlement and farming on the
Abel Tasman coast. They include: buildings; sheep dips; pack tracks; bush tramways
from logging; quarry workings at Tonga Bay, the Tata Islands and Ngaio Island; and
a steam engine used to mill beech bark at Awaroa for the tanning industry. Evidence
of this early European settlement and use, such as old bottles and crockery, may be
exposed in the reserve by coastal erosion.
Both natural processes and human impacts can easily damage archaeological sites
and historical places. These include erosion, earthquakes, fire, decay, neglect, and
increasing pressures of visitor use and facilities. These effects need to be avoided
where possible. In such circumstances, the Administration Committee must have
regard to sections 3(1)(a)(v) and 19(2)(d) of the Reserves Act 1977 and ensure sites
and objects of archaeological and historic interest are preserved as far as possible.
Any new structure or facility development should avoid or minimise impacts on
archaeological sites and historic places (see section 7.2 ‘Other facilities and
structures’).
4.2.6 Interpretation
Interpretation and information can enhance visitor understanding of Māori and
European historical sites and can help the visitors gain an appreciation for the
historical and cultural values preserved in the reserve. Where such information and
interpretation refers to places or stories of spiritual, historical or cultural
significance to Māori it should be developed in consultation with tangata whenua.
4. Historical and cultural heritage 35