Public submissions are now being taken on an integrated management plan that will set the foundations for how Auckland’s Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountains), or volcanic cones are valued, restored, protected and enhanced.

The Proposed Tūpuna Maunga Integrated Management Plan (IMP) can be viewed at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/tupunamaunga. Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 29 April 2016 and can either be emailed to [email protected] or posted to Tūpuna Maunga Authority, Private Bag 92300, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142.

All submitters will be given the opportunity to present their feedback to a hearings panel after the submission period closes.

Chair of the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, Paul Majurey, says the Tūpuna Maunga of Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland represent some of the most significant cultural, historical and geological landscapes in the region and it is appropriate that a unified and cohesive approach is taken to their care.

“The Tūpuna Maunga are sacred to Mana Whenua as taonga tuku iho (treasures handed down the generations). The future of each of these significant places needs to be planned with equal consideration and reverence.

“We have worked closely with Mana Whenua throughout this process to ensure their world views and priorities are woven through the management plan, and we will continue to do so. Complimenting this will be consideration of the strong living connections that local communities have with these special places. All Aucklanders draw a sense of identity from the Tūpuna Maunga so we want to ensure the integrated management plan captures that.”

“We are now entering the formal statutory phase, and this will be the last opportunity for people to make a submission before the final version of the plan is adopted and becomes operational in June 2016. All submissions will be gratefully received and respected,” says Majurey.

The 14 Tūpuna Maunga returned to Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau (the 13 mana whenua tribes of Auckland) in 2014 and included in the integrated management plan are:

  • Matukutūruru / Wiri Mountain
  • Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill
  • Maungarei / Mount Wellington
  • Maungauika / North Head
  • Maungawhau / Mount Eden
  • Ōhinerau / Mount Hobson
  • Ōhuiarangi / Pigeon Mountain
  • Ōtāhuhu / Mount Richmond
  • Ōwairaka / Te Ahi-kā-a-Rakataura / Mount Albert
  • Puketāpapa / Pukewīwī / Mount Roskill
  • Rarotonga / Mount Smart
  • Takarunga / Mount Victoria
  • Te Kōpuke / Tītīkōpuke / Mount St John
  • Te Tātua a Riukiuta / Big King

Also included are the administered lands on Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill and Te Ara Pueru / Te Pane-o-Mataaho / Māngere Mountain.