This page created 20 September 2000/modified 10/11/00
This is a district council administered reserve and Crown land area. The nohoanga occupies the central area of tall pine trees on a level terrace above Lake Hawea in Otago. There are grassy glades within. Up until the present this woodland has been ideal for quiet relaxation and as an informal childrens' play area. There is a relatively limited area to the left for public boat launching, and bathing. In summer this is under intense pressure from conflicting day users - between picnickers and vehicle and trailer parking. A commercially operated public camping ground is situated behind the pines. The balance of the area has been maintained as a 'no-camping area' so as to maintain this for informal public recreation. There are intense summer pressures - this being close to Hawea township with limited public reserves around the shores of the lake. There is a huge influx of summer holiday visitors to the Southern Lakes district.
The pines area has been zoned for no-camping so as to preserve this as public open space. There is good reason for this prohibition - so as to ensure that sufficient space is left for day users. Ngai Tahu have stated that the nohoanga will be "subject to all relevant rules, regulations and bylaws". However for them to now have a right to camp will either require flouting the district council bylaw, or it's overturning. Or is the council going to be faced with implimenting a prohibition on camping for everyone else? This sign has been recently erected within the nohoanga area.
This Ngai Tahu sign reinforces the point that it is the public that is being barred. The inference (correct) is that private camping is permitted. The red stake (beside the white survey peg) marks the boundary between a 20 metre wide strip of reserve along the lake shore that is being left for public use, and the nohoanga to the left. However the strip is too narrow to accommodate picnickers/bathers, and for foot passage between the remaining public areas to the north and south. Will the inevitable spill-over by the public require physical exclusion by fencing? Even prior to use as a nohoanga the process of permanent demarcation commenced. The other (northern) boundary has had logs placed between trees as a barrier between the public and the now-private areas, despite the private occupation supposed to be limited to 210 days per year. Many public users will feel that their remaining space is being encroached upon, and they will feel intimidated by the close proximity of campers asserting their exclusive right of use. This is hardly the best formula for harmonious community relations. This privileged racial enclave is an early physical expression of wider divisions currently being enforced upon New Zealanders in all aspects of public life.
The Ngai Tahu sphere of influence has already begun to extend beyond the nohoanga. This sign is on the 20 metre strip between it and the lake that remains reserved for public use. If there is need for any control of public activity on the remaining reserve, that is the proper domain of the district council. Note that the sign doesn't prohibit private parking etc.
Albert Town Recreation Reserve (NT 23)
Timaru Creek (NT 27)
Dublin Bay (NT 31)
Waterfall Creek (NT 32)