THE HAURAKI GULF FORUM

The Hauraki Gulf Forum is a statutory body charged with the promotion and facilitation of integrated management and the protection and enhancement of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi.

The Forum has representation on behalf of the tangata whenua of the Hauraki Gulf and its islands, the Ministers of Conservation, Fisheries and Māori Development, and elected representatives from Auckland Council (including Aotea Great Barrier Island and Waiheke Island Local Boards), Waikato Regional Council, and the Waikato, Hauraki, Thames-Coromandel and Matamata-Piako District Councils.

Our vision

Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi, the Hauraki Gulf is “celebrated and treasured”, is “thriving with fish and shellfish, kaimoana”, has a “rich diversity of life”, supports a “sense of place, connection and identity” and a “vibrant economy”.

Who we are

Ms Nicola Rata-MacDonald

Co-Chairperson - Tangata Whenua

Cr Warren Maher

Co-Chairperson - Waikato Regional Council

Mayor Toby Adams

Hauraki District Council

Charmaine Bailie

Tangata Whenua

Joe Davis

Tangata Whenua

Cr Christine Fletcher

Auckland Council

Terrence Hohneck

Tangata Whenua

Jacob Hore

Fisheries New Zealand

Tom Irvine

Tangata Whenua

Cr Mike Lee

Auckland Council

Cr Kerrin Leoni

Auckland Council

Martin Mariassouce

Te Puni Kōkiri, Ministry of Māori Development

Cr Paaniora Matatahi-Poutapu

Waikato District Council

Dean Ogilvie

Tangata Whenua

Mr Chris Ollivier

Aotea Great Barrier Local Board (Auckland Council)

Ms Bianca Ranson

Waiheke Local Board (Auckland Council)

Alex Rogers

Department of Conservation

Cr James Sainsbury

Matamata-Piako District Council

Mayor Len Salt

Thames-Coromandel District Council

Cr John Watson

Auckland Council

Cr Wayne Walker

Auckland Council

Our strategic issues

Integrated management: Improve integrated management through collaborative planning, informed decision-making, and credible action Healthy environments.

Ensure healthy: environments by improving water quality and managing land use practices that impact the Gulf.

Marine ecosystems: Improve marine ecosystems through recognising critical marine values and advocating for their protection and restoration.

Our big goals

A healthy catchment
At least 30% marine protection
A restored seafloor

See our 2024-2026 Workplan for details

Our 2024 priorities

The 24-26 workplan is holistic and wide reaching, befitting the number of complex issues in the Gulf. However, there are several ‘top of mind’ priorities for 2024 for the Forum to watch, within the framework of our strategic goals: