Regional Parks Management Plan Regional Parks Management Plan

3. Park Park values
values
Council research has shown that people value and derive benefit from the regional parks in
many ways. The council acknowledges the range and variety of values people ascribe to
regional parks and will use these as a basis of ensuring that the parks are managed in such
a way that they do not undermine or diminish these values.
Throughout this plan, reference is made to “park values”; the values referred to are those
identified below.
3.1 Intrinsic Intrinsic Intrinsic value values value
The regional parks have an intrinsic value that goes beyond their physical features and
characteristics, and the uses people make of the parks. This value is defined by both their
innate worth and the psychological benefit people derive from parks. The innate worth of
the parks is that the natural and cultural features exist and have value in their own right,
beyond their value for the use and enjoyment of people. Knowing the parks are there, that
they are in public ownership and that they are protected in perpetuity for future generations
is a significant part of their value to people.
3.2 Natural Natural Natural values values
values
Ecosystems Ecosystems and and biodiversity
biodiversity
The regional parks contain and protect representative examples of Auckland’s landscapes,
ecosystems, biodiversity and cultural heritage. Some parks, such as Tawharanui, are
managed as open sanctuaries to allow for the restoration of flora and fauna that have
disappeared from the mainland. While the parks provide the opportunity for people to learn
about and experience the natural and cultural heritage of the region, it is also recognised
that the parks offer an opportunity to preserve these values for their own sake, over and
above their use for the enjoyment of the public.
National National National and and regional regional significance
significance
significance
Many of the natural and historic features of the regional parks are unique to the Auckland
region and not found elsewhere in the country, or the world. Features such as the large
contiguous native forests of the Waitakere Ranges, the most northerly examples of
montane forests in the Hunua Ranges and the unique dune wetlands at Whatipu are of
national scientific significance.
Viable Viable ecosystems
ecosystems
The regional parks contain a range of ecosystems that are mostly intact and contribute to
increasing the viability of adjoining environmental systems, such as coastal, bush and
wetland environments in the region as a whole. They provide and extend ecological
corridors, and contribute to addressing the impacts of climate change by providing a carbon
sink.
Getting Getting in in touch touch touch with with and and restoring restoring nature
nature
The parks allow people to appreciate and learn about the natural heritage of the region. They
provide opportunities for the enhancement and restoration of the region’s biodiversity, and
for people to participate in and learn about these processes.
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Regional Parks Management Plan 2010