Owhiro Bay
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Group 01
Environmental Values
{owhirobay005.jpg} [owhirobay005.jpg]
Geomorphology
Site represents many examples of tectonic processes of the Wellington and Owhariu fault and their associated splinter faults. The entire Wellington landscape is controlled by this underlying fault pattern.
Of specific scientific interest in Pariwhero and Rimurapa.
{P3010120.jpg} [P3010120.jpg]
{Sinclair Contours.jpg} [Sinclair Contours.jpg]
Aquatic
The site adjoins the proposed Taputeranga Marine Reserve which has the following natural and scientific values:
- The proposed reserve lies in the confluence of three oceanic water bodies of currents, which bring richly varied misture of warm, cold temperate and sub -Antartic fauna and flora together, This mixture of plants and animals is unique in New Zealand.
- The northern and southern limit of many fish, invertebrate and algal species occue in the waters within which the reserve is proposed, The resulting variety is unusal and worthy of protection.
- The complex topography of the coast, and high energy of local waters, has created a wide variety of habitats within the relatively small area of the proposed reserve.
TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY
SPLASH ZONE
highest degree of salt burn
mobile sand mobile gravel
/Coprosma repens/ /Disphyma australe/ /Austrofestuca littoralis/
{owhirobay05.jpg} [owhirobay05.jpg]
FORESHORE ZONE
salt burn and physical abrasion
mobile gravel Coprosma propinqua Coprosma repens Hebe Muehlenbeckia complexa
TOESLOPE
periodic shading salt burn nutrient accimulation
- hebe stricta
- poa cita
double check from photos
Mix between rock outcrop and wind deposited sand
Bluff
Poor nutrient accumlatation excessive physical abrasion
Nesting habitat
AQUATIC ECOLOGY
DURVILLAEA ANTARICA - Bull Kelp
GEOGRAPHY
>steep hills, close to sea >flat, man made intermediate area (is it? in some parts natural?) >sea bed steep
ORIENTATION
>South Coast
VEGETATION
{Sinclair Vegetation.jpg} [Sinclair Vegetation.jpg]
>sparse - Variety of typical coastal species refer to list above >Re vegetation and restoration of cliff faces
{P3010116.jpg} [P3010116.jpg]
- typical spp. - *
/Coprosma/ /Hebe/ /Olearia/ /Pittsporum/ /Pseudopanax/ /Phormium cookianum/ /Poa cita/ /Pteridium esculentum/ /Phymatosrus diversifolium/ /Ozothamnus/ /Linium monogynum/ /Cordarteria toetoe/ /Cordyline australis/
{P3010129.jpg} [P3010129.jpg]
{owhirobay01.jpg} [owhirobay01.jpg]
ROCK
>Greywacke with argilitte traces >Mined >tiered/terraced >Faces of rock >Stratified
Submarine volcanic lava - red and green banded argillite
{owhirobay04.jpg} [owhirobay04.jpg]
--Red Rocks: >Rough >Eroded >Natural
Metamorphic rocks formed by differing levels of iron on seabed, and uplifted my tectonic processes
{redrocks01.jpg} [redrocks01.jpg]
Rocky shoreline. Gravel/Pebble
GRAVEL
>Large pebbles and rocks >No/Hardly and sand >Smaller pebbles at sea
{owhirobay02.jpg} [owhirobay02.jpg]
VIEWS
{view.jpg} [view.jpg]
>South Island >Cook Straight >South Coast >Quarry site >Carpark/road
SUN: >Morning sun
WIND: >Cold >blustery >Southerlies >Sheltered from northerlies >Westerlies
EROSION: >Wind erosion effect of Cook's Strait funnel and predominant Westerly >Coastal erosion Wind, rain, topography >Soil erosion
[Social Values]
Group 02
Suitable Plants
- TREES*
Akeake Akiraho Cabbage Tree Kohekohe Karaka Ngaio Marble leaf Sophora microphylla Taupatas Tree hebe Wharangi
- SHURBS*
Hebe elliptica var. crassifolia Melictytus obovatus Corokia Koromiko Sand coprosma Sand daphne Shrubby tororaro Thick leaved-mahoe
- CLIMBERS & SCRAMBLERS*
NZ ice-plant Small white clematis Leafless lawyer Pohuehue Shore convolvulus
- FERNS, GRASSES, SEDGES & RUSHES*
Spring flowering toetoe Necklace Fern Hound’s tongue Jointed wire rush Silver tussock Isolepis nodosa
- OTHER*
Coastal Flax Renga lily Speargrass Sea purge
Referenced: /Wellington regional native plant Guide. Boffa miskell in partnership withThe wellington Regional council/
History of Owhiro Bay
-The Owhiro Bay Quarry site is located at the entrance to the South Coast and provides access to both Red Rocks and the Te Kopahau Reserve. It is said to act as the gateway into the city as it offers the first views of Wellington for Visitors from sea or air.
-It is now proposed to become a new coastal recreation reserve for the Wellington region.
-The use of the site has changed depending on the needs of the time from Moari occupation through early quarrying operations of shoveling gravel from the beach, to modern drilling and blasting, crushing and screening.
{Shingle collection, Owhiro Bay, image 2.jpg} Shingle being collected from Owhiro Bay by Wellington firm Tonks and Andrews. 'Happy Valley gravel runabout'.
{Shingle Collection, Owhiro Bay.jpg} Shingle being collected from Owhiro Bay by Wellington firm Tonks and Andrews. 'Happy Valley gravel runabout'.
-The Wellington Peninsula was once entirely forested, with the exception of the steep and exposed areas that were susceptible to the Cook Straight gales, which was covered with dense bush. Forest clearance began in the Owhiro area prior to European settlement. By 1900, 99% of the peninsula forest cover had been cleared.
-The Owhiro Bay Quarry became a much needed resource in the late 1990’s providing around 300,00 tonnes of aggregate for various construction sites around the Wellington region. These included Parliament Buildings, the Haitaitai Car Tunnel, and the seawall for the Mirimar cutting, and also the original Government Buildings.
-History of Ownership of the Owhiro Bay quarry
Date Owners
Approx 1908 - Prior to actual ownership, Tonks and Andrews started removing shingle and sand for use in construction sites around Wellington. Stables and a smoko shed (now baches) were constructed about this time in Minestone Bay.
1942 - Warren and Ken Lamberg Purchased the Quarry
Early 1970’s- Mick Kerry became co-owners with the Lambergs
1982 - Quarry Purchased by Milburn NZ Ltd (cement manufactures). Milburn NZ later bought out by Holcim (a Swiss Company)
2000 - Quarry Purchased by Wellington City Council. Quarry restoration project commenced.
-In Mestanes Bay, located at the western end of the land surrounding the quarry, are five baches, listed in 2002 by the Historic Places Trust as historic areas. Originally the site occupied eight baches, of which only these five now remain.
1. King Bach – built 1928 2. Boshier Bach – built 1933 3. Grey’s Bach – built 1960 4. Stevenson Bach (rear) –built c1910 5. Stevenson Bach (front) – built c1910
-The unique character of these baches can still be seen largely due to the fact that they have not been upgraded or changed to any great extent.
-There are strong links between the Bach owners at Red rocks and Mestanes Bay. The earliest Bach to date was built in 1910, while the most recent was constructed in 1960.
{Owhiro Bay.jpg} Owhiro Bay, 1900's
{Owhiro Bay, 1920's.jpg} Owhiro Bay, 1920's
-The areas annual rainfall is between 1000-1250mm, and is exposed to gales on an average of 43 days per year (based from Wellington airport). The wind and high sunshine hours create a high evaporation rate compared to other sites around the Wellington region.
- Owhiro bay was a well developed settlement by the time the Europeans arrived. Moari iwi known to have been associated with the area have included Ngati Mamoe, Te Atiawa, Ngai Tara and Ngati Ira.
-Over the years the sites of cultural significance have been severely degraded. Few traces remain of their settlement or have been later modified by the Europeans e.g. Red Rocks and an ancient kainga (meeting area). The different sites had deep spiritual meaning to the local iwi, and still carry the same importance today.
-The headland Pariwhero (Red Rocks) was popular with local Maori for its fishing and supply of Bull Kelp. Various legends explain the red colouration: 1. Maui stained the rocks with blood from his nose which he used to bait his hook to prior to catching Te Ike a Maui – the North Island. 2. Kupe wounded himself on the surrounding paua around the rocks. 3. Kupe’s daughters, racked with despair over his prolonged absence, dashed themselves on the rocks.
-The Moari Standing Committee of Wellington City Council has endorsed the concept of Conservation Management for the South Coast area, to insure in the future the sites are better documented, protected and promoted to help enhance the regions cultural heritage.
{Historic cultural map.jpg} [Historic cultural map.jpg]
-Many Ships have been wrecked off the south coast around Owhiro Bay. These include the Tyne (the earliest wrecked, dating back to 1843), Cyprus, Wellington, Nambucca, Crescent, la bello, Progress and Penguin. Lives have been lost on all of these wrecks. Very little evidence still remains although divers are still frequently diving around this area. One of the explanations for the large amount of wrecks is thought to be Thom’s Rock, further around near the Karori Stream mouth. It was known as Demons Rock, for its apparent ability to change position.
-Photos sourced from Alexander Turnball Library, Wellington
Aerial
[Aerial Photo Whole Site.jpg]
[Whole Site Contours Map.jpg]
Character
- Characteristic of Owhiro Bay to Sinclair head*
{vegetation.jpg.}
[vegetation.jpg.]
planting is sparse. The coastal conditions prevents growth. The land is predominantly greywacky rock which also makes the growth of vegetation difficult. Only extemely hardy plants will survive.
- Wildlife*
{wild life.jpg} [wild life.jpg]
Wild life in the area -New Zealand fur seals, rare speargrass weevil, lizards and birds. - Coastal birds: banded dotterel, pied, oystercatchers, reef herons, little blue penguins, black-backed gulls are live at owhiro bay
[seal colony]
Seal colony that reside at this site seasonally.{seals.jpg} [seals.jpg.]
- Pedestrian & Vehicle Access*
{Pedestrian & Vehicle Access} [Pedestrian & Vehicle Access] The Access is a single lane 4x4 track (although non-4x4 vehicles can cope in good conditions. This is the only established access through the site.- Access: walking, biking tracks and vehicle trail (4WD) Need to maintain the ecological health of this area: animal & plant pest management is an important consideration
- Existing Buildings*
{Existing Buildings} [Existing Buildings] Existing Baches that get used and an old quarry building is all that exists on the site. Any further building will be challenging with protecting the coastline becoming a bigger issue.
- Geology*
{Geology}
Red Rocks -Red rocks were created during submarine volcanic eruption about 200 million years ago. -Lava outflows contained finely dispersed iron oxide. -The present forms of the Red Rocks are from compressed, tilted, uplifted and eroded rocks through time and continue today.
Maori History on Red Rocks
Maori legends offer three explanations for the colour of the red rocks.
-The blood from Maui’s nose stained the rocks when he used his own blood to bait his hook before hauling up the North Island. -Kupe cut his hand on a paua shell and stained the rocks. -Kupe’s daughters cut themselves in mourning when they gave their father up for dead.
Reference http://www.wellingtonnz.com/Education/RedRocksScientificReserve/Red+Rocks+Scientific+Reserve.htm
http://www.wellingtonrover.co.nz/redrockswalk.pdf
-Area from the closed Owhiro Bay Quarry building area to Sinclair head. -Reserve : - Red Rocks scientific reserve & recreational reserve (1991) -Sinclair head scientific reserve & recreational reserve (1994) -This area is included in ‘South Coast Management plan 2002’ and “natural Wilderness area” {Red rocks} [Red rocks] {More Red rocks} [More Red rocks]
- Owhiro Bay beach*
{beach} [beach]
-Recreational character. -its known for its Wild coast environment. stong winds, Hard edges (sea walls), . -Small amount of natural character is placed against the road edge.
- Owhiro Bay parade*
-Runs parallel with residential area. -Generally natural character is placed in the seaward side of the road. -Uses are; recreation and community landscape projects.
The Owhiro Bay holds its characteristics in the strong natural character which comprised of coastal formation, especially the uniqueness of the South Coast. The recreation and leisure activities also attract visitors and tourists. This site contains its history and heritage of New Zealand with several pa sites within the site.
- Development proposed*
- Council agreed on selling two sections which are gateway to Owhiro Bay, where two of Wellington’s reserve areas are. The Red Rocks and Sinclair Head are both recreation and scientific reserves. The council’s point over this proposal is to improve the Owhiro Bay area with the money they get from the sale.
- Tours to Red Rocks, seals colony and dive training and trips are commercialised.
- Marine Reserve*
-Proposed for the South Coast management plan 2002. -The areas include from; Te Raekaihau Point and Princess Bay to east of the closed Owhiro Bay Quarry. -The proposals is to protect and enhance the coastal ecosystems -People to experience and know the Marine reserve are supported. (This is because the Marine Conservation Centre is proposed in Te Raekaihau Point to Princess Bay – further discussed in Marine Conservation Centre below.) -To protect the characteristic of the coasts.
- Marine Conservation Centre*
{Marine research centre} [Marine research centre] /The propsed marine research centre at owhiro bay/
-The Marine Conservation Centre was proposed at four different sites along the Wellington Southern Coast. The Owhiro bay carpark was one of these.
-The reason this area is proposed is that the site has predominantly natural character, but it’s state is degrading now. Therefore developing this area is suggested.
-The reason this area is proposed is the site has surrounding natural character and it is more appropriate for recreational facilities, which are proposed for future development.
When those proposals are developed, there will be impacts in the area of South Coast and some solutions may need to rise.
For example:
- Needs for on-shore visitor facilities. -Increase in traffic -Increase in pedestrian access. -Boat launching facilities.
- Reference *
• South Coast Management Plan. 2002. Wellington city council. • Capital times. 11 january 2006. Owhiro Bay restoration. (http://www.captimes.co.nz/web/news/32/n/507/OwhiroBayrestoration.boss)
Land Use
- RECREATION*
- Walking/Running:* There are good oppertunities for the public to enjoy a range of easy going to physical tracks. The main track used is the road which hugs the coastal edge, while others follow old quarry tracks and the gullys that weave through the hills.
- 4wdriving:* The same coastal road that is popular for walking is also popular for people in 4wdrives and motorbikes providing access further round the coast.
- Seal watching:* Every year between November and April seals populate the area and are very accessible to the public for viewing.
{Under water Owhiro Bay.jpg} [Under water Owhiro Bay.jpg]
- Diving:* The coast of Owhiro Bay is a well kept secret. Contrary to common perception the Southern coast is often calm as Wellingtons predominant wind comes from the North, making the coast very diveable.There are four major shipwrecks scattered along 100m of the coast (Yung Pen 1982, The Wellington1 & Cyrus 1874 & The Progress 1931). They offer shelter for a range of sea life (fish, kelp, paua, mussels etc)making it a very exciting place to dive.
- Picnic:*
- Mountain Biking:*
- ENVIRONMENTAL*
-*Seals* are frequently encountered in Sinclair Heads; they frequent the area every year between November and April. There are a few types of seals that visit, the most common is the New Zealand Fur Seal but others include the Sub Antarctic Fur Seal, Leopard Seal and the Southern Elephant Seal.
Seals come ashore to rest after long periods at sea, or sometimes to moult. Occasionally they are forced ashore by rough weather, illness, injury or because of being entangled in nets or other derbies.
All seals should be treated with caution as they can become aggressive and can surprisingly move quickly on land. Leopard Seals should be treated with great respect because unlike fur seals they are not afraid of people and are unlikely to retreat into the water when approached. Seals bite with about 2 tonnes of pressure per square cm.
{flightless weevil.jpg}
-The South Coast region is the only North Island Locality for the rare and protected *flightless spear grass weevil*. Recordings over the last 20years have shown a decrease in the weevil, most likely due to the decrease in the spear grass habitat in\n which they feed on.
The Stephanorhynchos insolitus, a smaller weevil, has been identified around this area, and is thought to be endemic to it.
{blue penguins.jpg} {Reef heron.jpg}
-Coastal *Native Birdlife* include the Banded dotterel, red-billed gull, black-bulled gull, variable oyster catcher, blue penguin, pipit, black shag, little shag and the reef heron.
Potential Development
- Car Park*
{quarry building.jpg} [quarry building.jpg]
The car park is the largest area of clear and reasonably level ground in the site. It is at the end of Owhiro Bay Parade making it the entrance to this part of the southern coast.
- Spooky Gully*
Spooky Gully is one of the biggest intrusions from the beach into the hills. There is room to walk a fair while up into the gully, exposing you to lush thicker vegetation once shelter from the raw coastal conditions has become. The gully does act like a wind tunnel and has a small stream running at the base of it, flowing into the ocean. This gully has ecological values that could be utilised, emphasized and carried throughout other parts of the site.
- Quarry Terracing*
The terracing is the most dramatic land alteration done by man within the site. If connection can be made with these levels (whether that is a link via planting or an access way for example) they could be used dramatically in a design. Like the rest of the quarry site the ground material will have to be addressed if the public is to have access and encouraged to go up there, for basic safety reasons.
- The Whole Quarry Site*
The potential of the entire quarry site has two faces. It could be argued that this being the most ecologically damaged piece of land it needs a strong ecological design to try and establish equilibrium to ultimately become a 'natural' piece of land again. Or we could approach with the sense that this is already damaged and we have such a line of 'natural' or 'untouched' coastline that we don't need this small section to necessarily be that. So do something here that is constructed or has another agenda other than ecological re-establishment which would be the most obvious response for this part of the site.
- The Three Wider Pockets Along the Coastal Road*
{land analysis.jpg} [land analysis.jpg]
Refer to map for the three positions. These 3 parts of the site share similar qualities. They are wider than the rest of the road. Two of them have room on the seaside although this is beach so sandy and rocky and it slopes down to the waters edge, which is at an inconsistent level due to tides and weather. All three areas have room on the land side of the road. The ground is either rocky, sandy, scarce vegetation but usually a light mixture of all 3. They are reasonably level but anything along these parts will be tested by the exposure to the south.
- Sinclair Head*
A prominent headland like Sinclair Head is such an important visual feature for the whole southern coastline. If anything changes on the headland it will be very evident. Relate this part of the site to the Te Raukau Point and the issue of the marine education centre that is proposed there. Any design that entices man made change on a headline along a coast that prides itself on its natural beauty is going to have to be very justified and convincing. But it is an exciting opportunity to do an extremists piece of work...
Character Assesment
{character map.jpg} [character map.jpg]
{Land overview.jpg}
[Land overview.jpg]
video clip of Owhiro bay
short video clip of Owhiro Bay
[DSCF6361.AVI] <-- click to watch
Group proposal
- Negative proposals*
{adventure park}
[adventure park]
{residential development} [residential development]
{cafe} [cafe]
- Positive proposals & Points of interest*
{boardwalk} [boardwalk]
{re vegetation} [re vegetation]
{revegatation stream.jpg} [revegatation stream.jpg]
{pier.jpg}
[pier.jpg]
{information station.jpg}
[information station.jpg]
{research building.jpg 1} [research building.jpg 1]
- Design Proposal*
{Master Plan.jpg} [Master Plan.jpg]
Our proposal has an environmental base to it with the ultimate aim being to re-establish the ecology of the site while trying to promote the South Coast as a visitor destination.
The first step is to construct raised walkways that run along the coastal edge. The reason for these is to allow the re-vegetation of the site without it being affected by people, whether they are on foot or vehicle. The benefits of re-vegetation are that it will help control erosion, provide habitat for animal life and begin to re-establish the coasts original character.
There are series of significant historical and cultural points of interest from Owhiro Bay to Sinclair head; these are to be integrated into the walkway. These include the quarry which has the potential to be used as viewing platforms/ picnic areas, due to its already modified character. Old Maori Pa sites, the historic baches, the World War II look out post and the seals at Sinclair Head are other examples that will be included in the walkway.
The streams, that due to the quarries sediment run-off blocking them up and reducing them to mere trickles, are to be re-established into wetlands. The positive effects of this are that they will provide habitat and control the sediment run-off.
It is also being proposed that a Marine Reserve is put in place along this stretch of coast (as a result of commercial fishing the coasts ecosystems is under immense pressure), providing a place of sanctuary for sea life improving the health of the coasts ecosystem (A healthy sea means a healthy coastal edge as the two’s interests are intertwined). This would benefit the area’s dive reputation which will promote the area of coast and what it is trying to achieve (a successful example of this is [Goat Island]. north of Auckland).
There is the potential also to put in place a pier/ walkway out from the car park this is to enable people to experience the ‘rawness’ and power of the South Coast where it isn’t normally experienced from, also providing good access for divers.
An information/ Marine research centre is to be developed in the old quarry building. It will promote the Wellington South Coast and provide information to the public what is trying to be achieved within Owhiro Bay to Sinclair Head. The info centre will organize guided tours, have a café, sell of souvenirs and local artwork as well as hire equipment that can be use within the site, helping to provide the revenue necessary to develop and maintain the site.
{50 year plan.jpg} [50 year plan.jpg]
