Would you pay to go on Ninety Mile Beach? User charges on the cards

The idea of free unlimited fun in the sun on one of Northland's most popular beaches could soon be a thing of the past.

Local Maori are considering introducing a number of changes including user pay fees along Ninety Mile Beach.

Far North Iwi, Te Rarawa, will soon have shared governance of the coastline following an estimated $70 million dollar settlement deal with the Crown.

Spokesperson, Abe Witana says, "it's not all about money, it's about preserving the environment, the uniqueness that we have up here in Te Hiku."

He says the fee system could work anywhere from a Koha system or gold coin donation to a concession type arrangement with commercial tourism operators.

Te Rarawa are setting up a governance board which will oversee a management plan of its beaches for when the settlement deal with the Crown passes legislation. The Far North District council and the Northland Regional Council with have members on the board.

Far North Mayor, John Carter, says it's too early to say whether they would support beach fees.

"I'm sure there will be different views on how that (beach management plan) should be developed but it's a community including iwi and all these developments are taking part and everybody's involved in it so we'll just see how that develops but I'm sure at the end of the day it'll be something that we all want".

There are mixed views from the locals.

"I don't think locals should have to pay but tourists.. Yeah I think that's fair enough".

Other changes are likely to include restrictions on beaches including a total ban of vehicles.

The Far North District Council is already working on introducing a bylaw which will see all vehicles on Coopers Beach banned along with lower speed restrictions along Ninety Mile Beach.

Mr Carter says it's about reducing conflict on the beach and protecting the safety of the public. He says they're supportive of other restrictions that will protect the beach goers and the coastline.

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On the officialdom side: The mayor does not rule out charges, but covers himself by saying it's too early to say.

It is suggested locals should be free but tourists would be fair game. Not sure if someone visiting the far north from Hawke's Bay would be a tourist but as they are not locals it could well be so.

The one thing all sides of this debate agree on is that there will be changes. Whether those changes are beneficial or detrimental to visiting anglers and the future of the large surfcasting competition remains to be seen.

I still firmly believe it is not too early for the NZACA to have letters sent to the regional council, the local council and iwi making a strong case to be considered when the meetings to discuss the beach access get under way. Better to be represented at the start than trying to alter legislation once in place.

There is another word for a wait and see approach: apathy. I believe the guys (and girls) on this site who regularly make the pilgrimage to fish the far north will achieve more by making their feelings known and having written input at the earliest possible moment. Once those three bodies decide what action they intend to impose, nothing will shift them until they have assessed the results of quite a lengthy trial period. If you guys see it differently then I hope you are happy with the results.