Our coastlines are changing. What does this mean for your community?

A series of Coastal Conversations events held in March aimed to help answer this complex question.

The events were organised by NRC in conjunction with WDC and held in Ruakākā, Waipū, Whananaki and Ngunguru during Sea Week. They were attended by CoastCare groups, iwi, hapū, community groups and local residents.

Coastal scientist Jim Dahm was the expert speaker on how our coastlines are changing and what we can do to adapt and thrive.

Jim is a coastal scientist who helped form some of the first CoastCare groups in Aotearoa and has decades of experience in coastal management. His talks were focused on erosion and dune protection, and the impact of sea level rise due to climate change. Attendees learned about the dynamic nature of open coast beaches, the differences between temporary and permanent erosion and how coastal scientists identify these.

There was important kōrero around dune ecosystem functions and the vital role played by native sand-binding plants like spinifex (also known as kowhangatara and tihetihe) and pīngao, that trap windblown sand to form and rebuild a dune system. This included discussion of the impact of introduced grasses and weeds on dune health.

The Conversations also enabled communities to come together to discuss issues and learn more about how to work with nature to protect our coastlines and beaches. Community groups gave their own presentations on local coastal issues and solutions that they had put into practice.

Highlights included the presentation from the Taiao team from Patuharakeke on their weed eradication programme on the whenua and in the moana, including community snorkel days to remove Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella Spallanzanii). Bream Bay Coastal Care Trust members talked about their weed control project funded by the NRC Climate Resilient Communities Fund and other CoastCare groups gave updates on restoration work at Langs Beach, Waipū Cove and Paraparea Bay. Waipū and Ngunguru schools inspired with talks on the projects they have run over the years to build a love and appreciation for the environment in our tamariki, using our coasts as classrooms.

These inaugural Coastal Conversations events were a great start for Te Taitokerau in showcasing the coastal mahi our communities are undertaking and broadening awareness on current issues and future solutions.

Northland Regional Council would like to continue the Conversations around the rohe (region) in future, so if your coastal community would like to express interest in hosting a future event, please contact [email protected]