Regional Parks Management Plan Regional Parks Management Plan

Sense Sense of of identity identity and and place
place
The parks contain many of the features that define the unique character of the Auckland
region and imbue it with a sense of place and identity. In particular, they provide access to
large areas of the region’s coastline and harbours that are dominant aspects of the region’s
character. The parks and harbours are one of the reasons so many New Zealanders (over a
third) live in the region. Knowledge that the regional parks are publicly owned and managed
is highly valued by the public of Auckland.
Farming
Farming
Many of the regional parks are farmed. They retain the open rural landscapes that were an
historic characteristic of the region, enable the council to showcase farming and sustainable
farming practices, and provide people, particularly city-dwellers, with an opportunity to
experience the region’s farming heritage. All of the farmed regional parks model sustainable
farming practices. Some farmed regional parks, such as Ambury, run hands-on farming
based education programmes for children and interested members of the public, who
volunteer their time to help raise and care for farm animals.
3.6 Recreational Recreational values
values
Freedom Freedom of of access
access
Access to regional parks is free to all people where they can enjoy a range of activities at no
cost. The management of the parks and the provision of infrastructure and services that
support informal activities on the parks are paid for by the people of the Auckland region
through their rates. The parks are therefore theirs to enjoy.
Available Available Available for for future future generations
generations
People derive a strong psychological benefit from knowing that the parks are in public
ownership and will be available for future generations to enjoy.
Experiencing Experiencing wilderness wilderness and and nature
nature
The parks offer people the ability to enjoy the peace and quiet of natural settings, the
sounds of nature away from urban pressures and the dark night sky. Many of the parks are
located some distance from urban populations and are remote. Others parks, while closer to
urban areas, retain a sense of wilderness, such as many parts of the Waitakere Ranges.
Range Range of of outdoor outdoor activities
activities
The recreational uses of regional parks have traditionally been nature-based outdoor
activities, such as picnicking, walking, swimming, tramping, orienteering and camping. The
parks also accommodate activities that cannot be accommodated in urban areas and require
large open spaces, such as horse riding, mountain biking and hang gliding.
Access Access to to the the coastline
coastline
Many of the regional parks guarantee public access to parts of the region’s coastline,
including many fine beaches that are relatively safe for swimming and other aquatic
activities, such as surfing, fishing, exploring rock pools and venturing onto the sea in kayaks
and small boats. The parks also provide access to relatively undeveloped coastal
environments and remnants of the region’s maritime history and coastal settlement
patterns.
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Regional Parks Management Plan 2010