Plans, policies and reports
The Rakino Way
Introduction | Central
principles | Development strategy | Physical
infrastructure | Social infrastructure | Implementation
and monitoring
Central principles of the strategy
Environmental protection
Aim
To protect physical and cultural resources of Rakino by managing development
where there are identified environmental and amenity features.
Explanation
Sustainable management of natural and physical resources involves finding a
balance between development and environmental protection. Protection of Rakino's
significant natural environmental features including the coastline, the wetland
systems and pohutukawas is one of the best ways to maintain the Island's
character as development occurs.
Principle
The island's features of high environmental quality are identified, protected and enhanced.
Key strategies and actions
Auckland City currently:
- is undertaking a heritage survey of the island to identify and protect
significant heritage and ecological sites
- maintains District Plan rules that protect the coastal environment
- works with the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) on issues affecting water quality in the Hauraki
Gulf
- maintains noise control rules in the District Plan
- works with ARC, DOC and the local community to remove noxious weeds and
eradicate pests from the island in accordance with the 'Auckland Regional
Animal Pest Management Strategy' and the 'Auckland Regional Plant Pest
Management Strategy'
- works with the ARC to maintain coastal water quality around Rakino Island.
Auckland City will:
- implement recommendations of the heritage survey
- identify land with high environmental value and identify with the property
owners appropriate means of protecting the land, such as voluntary
protection, covenants, financial contributions, esplanade reserves/strips
(these last two means would be at the time of development/subdivision, or in
some cases purchase of land).
Development and maintenance of strong communities
Aim
To provide for basic community infrastructure, and to encourage and foster
the sense of community on the island, where there is greater opportunity to work
together for the common good and also greater opportunity to get projects
completed.
Explanation
Auckland City provides a basic level of infrastructure for the community
consistent with an island lifestyle. Community input into the local projects and
issues provides a means for achieving a sense of belonging, community identity
and a sense of place.
Principles
- The principles of the Treaty of Waitangi are taken into account throughout
the implementation of this strategy.
- Community input into local projects and issues provides a means for
achieving a sense of belonging, community identity and a sense of place.
- Communication between Auckland City, Waiheke Community Board and the Rakino
community is fostered.
- Basic infrastructure facilities are provided.
Key strategies and actions
Auckland City currently:
- provides education and material publicising council services and
democratic processes
- supports community initiatives to resolve issues locally
- provides a community hall, a public wharf, refuse and recycling services
and limited road access from the wharf to the northern end of the island.
Auckland City will:
- consult with the community when Auckland City related projects occur and will
communicate the outcomes
- investigate with iwi and community on appropriate ways of recognising the
history of Rakino.
Protection and enhancement of Rakino's character
Aim
To enhance the special rural and coastal island character and lifestyle
opportunities of Rakino Island.
Explanation
It is important to maintain a variety of lifestyle opportunities within
Auckland. The lifestyle opportunity available on Rakino Island is unusual both
within the Auckland region and nationally, as it provides an opportunity for
island living in close proximity to a large city.
Principles
- The rural and coastal island character of Rakino is maintained through
clustering residential development in certain areas.
- Safe, appropriate public access to beaches, to key scenic lookouts and to
the coastline is secured as opportunities arise.
- New residents or visitors to Rakino are aware of the community's
lifestyle values including remoteness, privacy, self-sufficiency and the
relaxed way of life.
Key strategies and actions
Auckland City currently:
- maintains district plan policies to ensure that the residential areas on
the island continue to be separated by areas of rural land
- maintains and administers animal control bylaws.
Auckland City will:
- identify and facilitate the creation of walkways and reserves that provide
safe public access to key scenic lookouts on the island and to parts of its
coastline
- promote a new district plan land unit customised for Rakino
Island, and replacing the existing Land Unit 20. This will provide
appropriate development opportunities while ensuring adequate protection/enhancement of Rakino's special rural and coastal island character. In
developing the new land unit the following will be taken into account:
- mechanisms for encouraging ecologically sustainable practices on the
island
- incentives for encouraging revegetation
- ways of securing public walkways to key coastal lookouts
- appropriate noise levels
- appropriate activities which include activities necessary for community
self-sufficiency
- recognition of the coastal edges and the inland rural areas.
Published February 2003
