Restore public access to Motutere Bay
Join Ngāti Te Rangiita ki Waitetoko hapū in our mission to secure a future where everyone can enjoy this culturally, environmentally and historically significant bay.
Take action by submitting on Taupō District Council’s draft Motutere Reserve Management Plan. Advocate for no lakeshore camping at Motutere Bay from 2038 to ensure access to the bay is restored.
What is this campaign about?
The #RestorePublicAccessToMotutereBay campaign is seeking to restore public access to Motutere Bay by advocating for no lakeshore camping from 2038, when the current Motutere Bay campground lease expires.
Lakeshore camping privatises and commercialises a public space, preventing shared enjoyment of the bay by everyone.
We need your help to convince Taupō District Council to make the bay accessible to all, not just those staying at the campground. The only way to make this happen is if you submit on the draft Motutere Reserve Management Plan seeking no lakeshore camping at Motutere Bay from 2038.
Your voice matters
For hapū and iwi
Motutere holds deep cultural significance for Ngāti Te Rangiita ki Waitetoko and Ngāti Tūwharetoa. Lakeshore camping is preventing hapū and iwi from connecting with Motutere Bay. Your submission is essential to restore our ability to access and protect this important part of our identity, for our uri whakatupu.
For Motutere Point Residents
Motutere Point is your home. We have heard from some of you that a sense of entitlement to your kāinga is tied to the presence of lakeshore camping. Your submission is essential to ensure that the approach to public access taken from 2038 respects local residents, your homes and your role as kaitiaki of Motutere Bay.
For the community
Motutere Bay is one of the few easily accessible, enclosed bays on the eastern shore of Lake Taupō. Lakeshore camping is preventing enjoyment of the bay by Taupō District residents and ratepayers. Your submission is essential to ensure respectful access to Motutere Bay is restored, for everyone to enjoy.
“Ki te tiaki te tangata i te Taiao, ka tiaki te Taiao i te tangata—If mankind takes care of the environment, the environment will take care of mankind.”
— The late Te Kanawa Pitiroi, Kaumātua Ngāti Te Rangiita ki Waitetoko