MOTU-MANAWA / POLLEN ISLAND
DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN - POLLEN ISLAND
CARE GROUP - date required
1. CONTEXT
1.1 Plan Objective
The purpose of this Management Plan is to provide guidelines for the effective
management and protection of the island,
The permitted use of the land, for the purpose of protecting and preserving the
ecological associations, plant and animal communities, soils and geomorphology and
other matters of special interest, for scientific study, research, education and
amenity.”
1.2 Location
Thousands of motorists pass Pollen Island Scientific Reserve as they drive on the
North West motorway. It is located a few hundred metres from MHWS at the end of
the Rosebank Peninsula, in the Waitemata Harbour, Auckland, at 36 degrees 52
minutes South and 174 degrees 40 minutes East (Map Reference NZMS 260 Sheet
R11 595805). Access is through the Pollen Island Marine Reserve.
1.3 Legal Description and Legal Protection
The legal description is "An uninhabited island A1 93 DP NA Pollen Island,
Avondale 1007, Rating Group K".
The Department of Conservation (DoC) now own and manage the island as declared
as a Scientific Reserve under Section 14 of the Reserves Act. The Pollen Island Care
Group as agreed with the Department of Conservation to help keep free of all noxious
pests (including rabbits, possums and rats). It also requires that access to the land be
restricted to groups approved by the Pollen Island Care Group and/or Northern
Conservation Officer, and that no fires shall be lit on the land. Also of importance are
the restrictions imposed on all areas adjacent to the island by the Marine Reserves Act
1971 and Marine Reserves Regulations of 1993.
1.4 General Characteristics and Use
One of the few remaining unmodified areas in the Waitemata Harbour, the shellbank
and associated shrubland comprising Pollen Island cover some 13 hectares above sea
level. The exposed eastern side is less than a metre above high tide level and is being
actively eroded. It is surrounded by tidal flats, saltmarsh and mangroves and deep
channels and muddy conditions discourage predators such as dogs and cats but both
Norway and ship rats have been identified as present. These deep channels also
significantly restrict certain weed access. The sheltered western side is contiguous
with the extensive saltmarsh of glasswort and low mangroves, including small
vegetated islets covering about 50 hectares between the island and the motorway.
1.5 Ecological Values
Aided by its isolation and being relatively predator free it has a significant population
of fernbirds and small numbers of the nationally threatened New Zealand dotterel are
present. Marine invertebrates such as shellfish, worms and crabs provide food for
bird and fish species and this nursery area plays a vital role in sheltering juvenile fish
which later move out into the Hauraki Gulf. Insect life is also significant as one of the
world's rarest creatures, an undescribed native Bactra moth (Bactra sp.), has been
found only on the island. A 2mm shore bug (Saldula stuneri) is known only from
tidal pools on this site and two other localities. Three other rare moths are also
present. The area is a nationally important locality for the study of strand island
stability, formation of inter-tidal mudflats, and subfossil pollen studies. There is
currently virtually no humus layer and therefore the island is unsuitable for most plant
species but given time this situation will gradually change and allow a more suitable
environment for plant establishment.
The area around the island is classified in the Draft Regional Plan Coastal for the
highest level of protection as Coastal Protection Area 1. The land boundaries of the
Marine Reserve and Pollen Island itself are classified as Outstanding Landscape and
the site of the limeworks on the island is listed for protection under the Cultural
Heritage Schedule.
1.6 Historical and Cultural Heritage
The Ngati Whatua and Te Kawerau a Maki have traditional claims and links to this
part of the Auckland region. They used the upper harbour and surrounding lands for
gardens and seasonal food gathering. In the mid-1800s several brickmaking
industries began using west Auckland clays. Lime was required and the shell from
Pollen Island shellbanks was a readily obtainable source. Dr Daniel Pollen was the
first European owner and the island remained in the Pollen family until 1918 when it
came into public ownership.
1.7 History of Threats and Conservation Measures
1967 - A reclamation authorisation was granted over the area by the Auckland
Harbour Board (AHB) between Pollen Island and the tip of Rosebank Peninsula.
1983 - The New Zealand Wildlife Service classified the entire Waitemata Harbour as
a Site of Special Wildlife Interest (SSWI).
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1986 - Waitemata Harbour Maritime Planning Scheme sent mixed signals. The
ecological value of the area was recognised by conservation and habitat zonings. A
special Pollen Island zone to the landward side of the island recognised the
exceptional conservation value of the area but still allowed the possibility of future
port development.
1988 - Auckland Regional Planning Scheme. 6 October 1988, AHB and POA agreed
to a “Port Plan”. Central Auckland F&B sent letters of objection to the Minister of
Conservation, Helen Clarke.
1989 - 4 September, the first public notice of the F&B application to the Director
General of Conservation for a 500 hectare marine reserve in the tidal waters around
Pollen Island and Traherne Island. There was a two month period for submissions,
with 319 being received.
1989 - Transit NZ proposed a major motorway interchange at Rosebank/Patiki Road.
Objections were made by the Auckland Regional Council (ARC), DoC, F&B and
other environmental groups and the battle to save the inter-tidal mudflats from the
impact of the motorway interchange began. By December 1989 an option that
avoided significant impact on the seabed and was second lowest in capital cost had
survived the prescreening process.
1995, 10 July - A ten year lease of the island was granted by the POA to F&B.
1995, 9 October - The Pollen Island/Motu Manawa Marine Reserve was gazetted.
1995, 9 November - The Marine Reserve was formally opened by the Minister of
Conservation
1996, February - Transit NZ started work on the Rosebank Road Northwestern
motorway interchange.
Ports of Auckland land transfer the Department of Conservation.
Pollen Island Care Group formally takes over the general maintenance of Pollen
Island.
Pollen Island gazette as a Scientific Reserve.
1.8 Relationship between Pollen Island and the Marine Reserve
Pollen Island and the marine area surrounding it, in particular the marine reserve, are
inextricably linked. The island was formed by natural marine processes, and is
continually modified by those processes. Erosion and shellbank accretion are assisted
by spring tides and storm action. The island also forms an excellent example of an
ecotone from mangrove through salt meadow to terrestrial vegetation. It is difficult to
put a line where marine life stops and terrestrial life commences. Perhaps there is no
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line. The island and the marine reserve are therefore ecologically and geologically
linked.
Laid on top of this contiguous natural ecosystem are human lines. Marine reserves are
administered by the Department of Conservation. Pollen Island is managed by the
Pollen Island Care Group. These two “titles” are separated by the mean high water
springs line (MHWS).
The Pollen Island/Motu Manawa Marine Reserve was gazetted on 9 October 1995.
This reserve complements Pollen Island and extends the protected area around the
island. The marine reserve, whilst being an important reserve in its own right, will
also act as a buffer area for the island.
Given the inter-relationship of both the island and the marine reserve both the
Department of Conservation and the Pollen Island Care Group must ensure that
activities occurring in each area do not compromise the values of that area or of the
adjacent area.
Management of the marine reserve is undertaken under the provisions of the Marine
Reserves Act 1971 and the Marine Reserves regulations 1993. This management is
also subject to the objectives and policies of the Conservation Management Strategy.
Section 19 of the Act lists those activities which are offences within marine reserves,
see appendix 2. Since MHWS is difficult to determine "on the ground", the Pollen
Island Care Group will need to ensure that their activities do not conflict with Section
19.
2.0 NATURAL VALUES
2.1 Geology
Geological Setting of Pollen Island
Pollen Island is a narrow, low, vegetated bank protecting an extensive area of high
tide glasswort salt meadow, salt marsh and low mangrove flats. These ecosystems are
established in a thin veneer (1 - 10 centimetres thick) of sandy mud or soil deposited
over a terrace of stiff Pleistocene sediments. The seaward side of the island is
eroding, with 0.3 - 1 meter high banks of stiff Pleistocene sediments along most of its
length. The island probably extended much further eastwards a few thousand years
ago and has since been eroded back to its present narrow form.
The subsurface composition of Pollen Island has been investigated to a depth of 1.5 2 metres through the sinking of approximately 100 bore holes in the 1950s (Chapman
and Ronaldson 1958). The island is composed of 0.1 - 1 meter thick partly weathered
blue-grey mud overlying a peat deposit. Attempts to radiocarbon date the peat in the
1950’s suggested that it is older than 20 000 years. The 0.5 - 1 meter thick peat in
turn overlies further weathered mud.
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The peat is inferred to have accumulated in a freshwater swamp environment at a time
of lower sea level during one of the glacial episodes. The mud above and below it
were possibly deposited in an inter-tidal environment during interglacial periods when
sea levels were close to the present.
Recent drillhole exploration by the ARC and the University of Auckland on the
Rosebank Peninsula side of the motorway indicates that the stratigraphy seen on
Pollen Island is the upper part of a much thicker (?50m) sequence of the Pleistocene
alluvial, marine and ash sediments (NZ Herald 27 September 1995). Almost all of
Rosebank Peninsula is underlain by this sedimentary sequence which accumulated in
a deep valley or basin over the last million years. Weathered early Miocene
Waitemata Sandstone forms the small hill at the south end of the motorway bridge
over the Whau and is exposed in the inter-tidal channels draining the Pollen Island
mangrove swamp in that vicinity.
The best known examples in New Zealand of three-dimensional fossilised, limonitecemented casts of network burrows protrude from the inter-tidal mud off the southeast
corner of Pollen Island. They are eroding out of the blue grey mud that overlies the
peat and are inferred to have been made by burrowing callianassid, alpheid or mantid
shrimps (Grenfell and Hayward, 1995).
Shell banks are actively accumulating and migrating off the seaward side of both the
north and south ends of Pollen Island. The banks are largely composed of shells of
the cockle (Austrovenus stutchburyi) which live on the adjacent inter-tidal flats.
Issues: Marine erosion is actively removing parts of the seaward side of Pollen
Island. At times this erosion, coupled with rare storm surges is destroying parts of the
coastal fringe vegetation.
The mobile shell banks periodically advance into and through established mangrove
forest killing the trees and destroying the habitat.
Natural erosion and shell bank migration are part of the natural order and are generally
uninfluenced by human activities.
Policy: Natural physical process will be allowed to continue unimpeded. No erosion
retardation structures will be constructed.
2.2 Vegetation and Flora
Vegetation
The vegetation of the island and associated saltmarsh was mapped in the 1950’s by
Chapman and Ronaldson (1958) and commented on by Cameron (1990). Marsh
ribbonwood (Plagianthus divaricatus) and oioi (Leptocarpus similis), 1-1.3m tall,
form the main vegetation of the island. On the slightly higher land flax (Phormium
tenax)(up to 2m tall) and Olearia solandri (up to 3m tall) locally form taller
vegetation. A few Sydney golden wattles (Acacia longifolia)(up to 4.5m tall) are the
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tallest plants on the island. Manuka (Leptospermum scaparium), mapou (Myrsine
australis) and karamu (Coprosma robusta) occur locally in small numbers and are all
present in the best developed shrubland with Olearia solandri at the north end of the
island. The eastern side of the island is being actively eroded by storms and here flax
frequently dominates. Usually oioi and marsh ribbonwood form a thicket behind the
flax.
At the narrowest point of the island, the vegetation is low and open. Unlike the
shrublands on either side, this area (c. 25m long) is dominated by herbaceous weeds.
It lacks the shrub-oioi cover here because there is no slightly raised surface present for
its establishment.
The island’s sheltered margin is fringed with a zone of sea rush, which is usually
narrow. The extensive sheltered tidal flats between the motorway and the island are
almost entirely covered in low open vegetation of mangrove (Aricennia marina) and
glasswort (Sarcocornia quinqueflora). The zonation of the vegetation is controlled by
land level in respect to sea level. At the lowest level are mangroves (inundated twice
a day); glasswort (only inundated twice a day by the larger tides); sea rush (more or
less high-water spring); marsh ribbonwood/oioi/needle tussock (Stipa stipoides);
flax/Olearia solandri (only very occasionally reached by the sea).
Flora
The specialised habitat of salty, wet mud or loose shell, all exposed by some degree to
saltwater, is suitable for only a narrow range of species. Ninety vascular plant species
have been recorded for the island (Cameron 1990, 1991) although many of these are
represented by few individuals. Although a large percentage (64%) of the flora is
adventive, most of these are annuals and are scarcely visible for much of the year.
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) was the only widespread adventive species on the
island. A creeping native buttercup (Ranunculus acaulis) which grows locally on the
exposed eastern muddy bank is now a very scarce species in the Waitemata Harbour.
Issues: The strong marine influence and tide levels govern the zonation patterns and
low species diversity. Erosion and accretion of soil and shell destroys existing sites
and/or creates new sites for vegetation colonisation.
The vegetation and flora of Pollen Island is the best remaining example of this type
close to Auckland.
Policy: Planting is prohibited on the island except where specific management of
threatened species requires it, but this will be subject to approval from the Pollen
Island Management committee.
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2.3 Birds
Fernbird
Vegetation along the shore of Pollen Island contains an established population of
fernbirds. The site is regionally significant for this species and critical for its
preservation in Auckland. The population consists of an estimated 15-20 pairs and
appears to have been stable at this level for some years (Taylor 1995).
Other Land Birds
The coastal habitat is suitable for banded rail and occasional reports support the likely
continued presence of this species. The site attracts a range of common species. (An
asterisk indicates probable nesting). Harrier, kingfisher, skylark, welcome swallow,
blackbird*, song thrush*, grey warbler*, fantail, silvereye*, chaffinch*, greenfinch,
house sparrow, starling, common myna, Australian magpie.
Wading Birds
The shell banks contiguous with Pollen Island are used for nesting by New Zealand
dotterel (2 or 3 pairs). This species is highly threatened throughout the Auckland
region.
The spur-winged plover frequents the northern shore and probably nests in grassy
areas of the Te Atatu peninsula. Adjacent tidal flats provide the main feeding grounds
of the Upper Waitemata Harbour for other wading birds, particularly bar-tailed
godwit, knot, pied oystercatcher, pied stilt, banded dotterel and wrybill. These species
form high-tide roosting flocks, often containing several hundred birds, which take
advantage of the shore and shell banks of Pollen Island according to season and tidal
height. Pollen Island has an important role in sheltering these roosts and feeding
areas.
Gulls and Terns
Most years Pollen Island has a nesting colony of black-backed gulls (typically 10 - 20
pairs). These gulls threaten and may predate any New Zealand dotterel nests.
Caspian terns have been recorded nesting, visiting the upper harbour and roosting
among the wader flocks. Red-billed gulls and white-fronted terns feed in the waters
adjacent to the island.
Other Shore Birds
Other birds which regularly feed and roost on or near Pollen Island include shags,
herons and ducks. The particular species involved are pied shag, little black shag and
little shag (the nearest nesting colony of these three species is at Western Springs),
white-faced heron (common), white heron (rare visitor), paradise shelduck, mallard
and grey duck. Pukeko are present, and probably nest in the immediate vicinity.
Issue: Presence of a resident population of fernbirds.
Policy: Seek to manage the reserve to maintain the fernbird habitat and to protect the
colony from disturbance or predation.
Issue: Nesting of the New Zealand dotterel on adjacent shellbanks.
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Policy: Monitor the attempts of the New Zealand dotterel to establish territories and
to nest in the vicinity of Pollen Island. Minimise disturbance, especially of birds
which are showing territorial behaviour. When nesting occurs, work in association
with DoC to protect the nest and the raising of chicks.
Issue: Establishment of black-backed gull nesting colony on Pollen Island.
Policy: Record dates and numbers of nesting gulls. Consult DoC as to the need to
discourage nesting of black-backed gulls if their presence appears to threaten other
species, especially the New Zealand dotterel.
Issue: Roosting of waders and other shore birds.
Policy: Seek to manage the reserve so the roost sites of shore birds are protected.
Avoid disturbance of flocks resting at high tide, especially in the main pre-migratory
periods of July-August for internal migrants (oystercatchers and wrybills) and March
for overseas migrants (godwits and knots).
Issue: Pollen Island is a favourable habitat for a range of native and introduced birds.
Policy: Monitor the bird population in association with the Ornithological Society
(OSNZ).
2.4 Terrestrial Invertebrates
The paucity of records per species indicates that the list, though representative of the
Pollen Island fauna, could well be considerably augmented if more intensive
collecting methods were to be employed and if the Island had been visited at more
frequent intervals.
Of the c. 140 species identified to date, 93 (66%) are believed to be endemic to New
Zealand. Of the remainder, 21 (15%) are adventives from Australia and 26 (19%) are
cosmopolitan species. These latter include a few parasitoids and predators introduced
into New Zealand for the biological control of pests.
A large element in the Pollen Island fauna consists of widespread species, both
endemic and adventive, that are associated with disturbed habitats with a mixture of
introduced and native plants. This “scrubby vegetation” (with invasive weeds) is
present in parts of the Island. Some of the animals in this category may form a
significant part of the “aerial plankton” of the Auckland/Northland Region.
There is also a significant assemblage of coastal fauna (29 species - 21%). These
include species associated with driftwood, mangroves, saltmarsh and coastal
vegetation. It is amongst these that some interesting species, with restricted
distributions, are found. They include Crocydopora n. sp. 2, a pyralid moth, the
larvae of which feed on Samolus repens and which has a restricted range from
Waitangi to Miranda. A noctuid (cutworm) moth, Ectopatria aspera is restricted to
coastal Chenopodiaceae from Three Kings Islands to Tasman Bay. The larvae are
sometimes found on glasswort within the splash zone.
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A small component of the beetles (Steriphus ascitus, Peristoreus australis,
Scelodolichus sp. and Stenellipsis parvula) constitute a combination of species
characteristic of coastal salt marsh/swamp habitats - although only the Scelodolichus
is confined to such habitats. The Scelodolichus sp. from Pollen Island and
Coromandel appears to be closely related to an undescribed Scelodolichus sp. from the
Chatham Islands. This is a further example of the recognised northern North Island Chatham Islands biogeographic link.
The leafhopper, Paracephaleus hudsoni, is restricted to oioi, Leptocarpus as a host
plant. Undisturbed stands of this rush are becoming rarer in the Auckland region and
particularly in the Waitemata Harbour. The saldid bug, Saldula stoneri, has so far,
been only located on tidal pools at Pollen Island and Wattle Bay (Manukau Harbour)
and from hot pools at Rotorua.
The tortricid moth, Bactra sp., is still only known from 2 specimens collected in 1982
on Pollen Island. This species has not been found elsewhere in the Auckland region.
If, as is suggested by comparison with related species, this species is associated with
rushes or sedges, then it could well be that it is now restricted to the island. Certainly
comparable rush-sedge strand vegetation is now very rare in the Auckland region and
it could well be that this species is now confined to Pollen Island.
Issues: Presence of a number of restricted, rare and interesting insects and other
invertebrates associated with driftwood, saltmarsh and mangrove habitats.
Policy: Preserve the existing habitats, and continue monitoring invertebrate fauna in
association with the Auckland Branch of the New Zealanc Entomological Society.
Destroy nests of introduced Polistes wasps, which prey upon various other
invertebrates.
3.0 HUMAN VALUES
3.1 Tangata Whenua
The Ngati Whatua and Te Kawerau a Maki used the nearby land seasonally for
gardens, bird snaring and the gathering of food from the sea (kaimoana). The island
itself was used by local iwi who apparently established temporary fish camps and
dried fish along the coast in this area.
The island and the intertidal zone are currently included in a Land and Fisheries claim
under the Treaty of Waitangi on behalf of the Nga Hapu of Ngati Whatua.
3.2 European History
In July 1841 Dr Daniel Pollen was granted the northern end of Rosebank Peninsula
and the island in the Auckland Land Sales (Or Lot 93 Parish of Titirangi, 71 acres
granted on 10 March 1858). Dr Pollen lived at the end of Rosebank Road, running
cattle and pigs on the Peninsula and mining shell from the shell banks lying off the
island. He also developed a brick making and ceramic works on the Peninsula.
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Daniel Pollen’s son Hugh was trustee of the island until his death in 1912 when David
Pollen, grandson of Daniel, sold it on 6 December 1918, to the Public Trustee for 140
pounds and it came under the jurisdiction of the Avondale Road Board.
Shell extraction was continued by the Avondale Council. The remains of a structure
probably associated with the shell extraction is still visible at the north-western end of
the island and is said by some to be the remains of a shellcrushing plant although there
appears to be no evidence for this. Two thin straight lines and a few rusty nails
remain to show where a railway line carried wagons of shell or crushed shell across to
the Rosebank Peninsula. The shell was used in parks and gardens of Auckland Town,
for road surfacing and as a source of lime.
In 1924 the island was transferred to the Auckland City Council who sold it to the
Auckland Harbour board on 23 January 1964. On 1 December 1988 it was transferred
to Ports of Auckland Ltd.
In December 1955 a two lane road was opened between Point Chevalier and Lincoln
Road. This was upgraded to a four lane motorway between 1960 and 1963.
In 1985 the Auckland Harbour Board Chairman Mr Harry Julian saw the sale of
railway land at Pollen Island as endangering its future as an upper harbour port
(Auckland Star, 4 October 1985).
In 1989 the Hon Bill Jefferies, Minister of Transport, decided that the Port Company
should retain the island, although DoC gained control of the seabed. In 1990 a series
of letters to this minister and the government to reverse this decision began.
On 29 September 1989, the outgoing AHB and POA signed an agreement to lease 466
hectares of seabed between the motorway and the deep channel.
4.0 EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND RECREATION
4.1 Education
Pollen Island provides a site of ongoing educational value, especially in an urban
setting, and also in a harbour which has lost a lot of its wetland areas. However this is
a sensitive environment and access will be severely limited.
Issue: Even the old adage “leave only footsteps” doesn’t really apply here.
Policy: Provision of notice boards/displays in appropriate places mainland sites, to
inform but avoid damage to the island.
4.2 Research
Issue: Research is essential to know what the island is protecting, for monitoring its
health, for education purposes and for effective informed management.
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Policies:
The following kinds of low impact research shall be encouraged and permitted:
1. Research which increases our knowledge and understanding of the natural and
historical values of Pollen Island.
2. Research that assists in the better management of Pollen Island primarily as a
nature reserve.
3. Research that does not contribute to either of the above and could equally well be
carried out at some other location in the region will be discouraged and generally
not approved.
4. Permits to take samples of animals, plants, rock, sediment or soil for research
purposes may be granted by the Pollen Island Management Committee so long as
they have negligible impact on the island’s natural values. A condition of such
permits will be that specimens or samples collected must be deposited in a
recognised public research collection.
4.3 Recreation
Limited recreation opportunities exist on the island. Most recreation will be on the
marine reserve rather than on the island and will consist of sailboarding, kayaking and
bird watching.
Issue: Damage to the fragile environment.
Policy: Discourage general use of the island for purely recreational purposes. All
activities should be passive. Scientific recreation should be permitted for approved
people and projects.
5.0 MANAGEMENT
5.1 Access
Access to the Land will be restricted to persons and groups of persons approved by the
Northern Regional Conservation Officer.” Further delegation is effected to the Pollen
Island Management Committee by this Management Plan.
Issue:
The sensitivity of the island demands that access be controlled.
Policy
All access, for whatever purpose, including clean-ups, should have the prior approval
of two members of the Management Committee.
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Access should be by boat, where practical, directly onto the shell banks to minimise
damage to the ecosystem. Access along the tramline should be actively discouraged.
If access needs to be across the mudflats then parties should consist of no more than
20 people. Ideally parties should consist of no more than 8 people, with not more than
two visits per week. Special dispensation may be given for individuals conducting
research authorised by the Committee.
Dogs are not permitted under any circumstances.
Clean-ups will be subject to the same access restrictions as all other visits.
5.2 Fire
The NZ Fire Service will probably be the first on the scene, however the Department
of Conservation will take some responsibility because of the conservation significance
of the island, and the fact that it is surrounded by the marine reserve. On the arrival of
the Department of Conservation they will assume responsibility for fire control. The
department and the Fire Service operate on a letter of understanding, which is a formal
agreement that has ratified by the National Rural Fire Authority.
5.3 Pests
Plants
Because of the strong saltwater influence there is a limited range of environmental
weeds that could have a serious impact on the island’s vegetation. Although 58 exotic
species have been found on the island (Cameron 1990, 1991) most are herbaceous and
insignificant.
To date, the only environmental weeds recorded on the island are:
Sydney golden wattle - 4 present, partially ring-barked
bone seed - single plant uprooted in 1990
brush wattle - single plant uprooted in 1990
pampas grasses (2 species) - occasional
Kikuyu grass - very local, uprooted in 1990
gorse - occasional
Carex divisa - local
wild gladiolus – occasional; corms dispersed by seawater?
Issue: Protection of the sensitive flora and management of environmental weeds.
Policy: The island should be monitored every two years for establishment of new
environmental weeds and consideration of feasible and desirable action.
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Complete the ring-barking of the Sydney golden wattles and remove/spray the gorse
and pampas grasses. Consider whether action is required for Carex divisa and wild
gladiolus, it may be a losing battle.
Animals
The most likely pests would be, rats, dogs, cats and mustelids.
Policy
Under the terms required to undertake pest eradication. The island should be
monitored for the presence of these pests and action formulated in association with
DoC.
5.4 Pollution
A main source of pollution of Pollen Island is stormwater run-off, particularly from
the industrial properties of the nearby Rosebank Peninsula, and from the neighbouring
SH16 Northwestern Motorway. A plan to manage this type of pollution needs to be
carried out in collaboration with the Department of Conservation, Auckland City
Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency as part of the management of the
marine reserve abutting the island.
Another major source of pollution is litter carried to the island by wind, tide or visitors
to the island. Traditionally there have been regular beach clean-ups of the island
foreshore areas. However, because of a significant reduction in the amount of such
litter, the disturbance to the island environment which clean-ups may contribute to,
and also because of concern that in removing some litter items valuable habitats may
also be disturbed, beach clean-ups will no longer occur regularly. They will take
place as and when required as determined and organised by the management
committee.
Issue:
The control and management of pollution. Litter should be monitored and managed
when necessary.
Policy:
To remind ACC, DoC and New Zealand Transport Agency that it is an offence under
the Marine Reserves Act to discharge noxious or polluting substances into a marine
reserve, and that a plan to minimise pollution needs to be implemented. The clean-up
parties will be subject to the policies in the section of this management plan which
refers to island access.
5.5 Voluntary Rangers:
To be trained by DoC
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5.6 Administration
The land as described in Section 1.3 of this plan is administered by the Department of
Conservation and the Pollen Island Care Group.
The responsibility for ensuring policies in this management plan are followed is
delegated by the Pollen island Care Group a representative of the Department of
Conservation (as appointed by the Regional Conservator), plus such other persons as
they shall co-opt from time to time, (maximum two others). See Management
Committee Terms of Reference, (appendix 2).
An Advisory Committee was formed at the beginning of this lease comprising persons
invited by the Management Committee because of their expertise in particular fields
eg. botany, entomology, geology, marine biology, ornithology. See Advisory
Committee Terms of Reference (appendix 3). The life of this committee is intended
to terminate on completion of the Management Plan.
References
Cameron, E.K., 1990, Flora and vegetation of Motu Manawa (Pollen) Island Waitemata Harbour, Auckland. Auckland Botanical Society Journal 45(1): 9-16.
Cameron, E.K., 1991, Motu Manawa (Pollen) Island trip observations. Auckland
Botanical Society Journal 46(1): 17.
Chapman, V.J. and Ronaldson, J.W., 1958: The mangrove and salt-marsh flats of the
Auckland Isthmus. D.S.I.R. BULLETIN 125, pp79.
Grenfell, H.R. and Hayward, B.W., (1995), Fossilised casts of shrimp burrows at
Pollen Island, Waitemata Harbour, Auckland. Tane 35: 149 – 159.
Taylor, M.J., Ornithological records for Auckland Region.
Motu-Manawa/Pollen Island Management Plan
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