A management group will soon be formed to ''convert the good work and intent'' of the Pukekura reserves management plan at Taiaroa Head ''into action'', Department of Conservation Coastal Otago manager Robin Thomas says.
The plan was signed by representatives of the Te Runanga o Otakou, the Karako Karetai Trust, the Dunedin City Council and Doc in a ceremony at the Royal Albatross Centre yesterday.
It was an integrated plan covering the reserves at Pukekura (Taiaroa Head) vested in the city council and Crown land administered by Doc. It was approved and adopted by the council and the Otago Conservation Board last year.
Ecological, cultural, historic, public appreciation, tourism and commercial values were identified by the plan.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said it provided a holistic and sustainable approach to managing the area, regardless of ownership boundaries.
''This has been an important process driven by the desire to protect and enhance the key values of this significant area.''
Mr Thomas said it was great to be part of a team which had worked so hard over a long period to achieve the plan.
One underpinning value of the plan stood out - that wildlife did not recognise borders, fences or artificial constructions of any nature, he said.
''That is really important, pivotal, in terms of the future of the headland.''
While the management structure was still to be developed, the whole process could be a blueprint for Doc as it adopted an operating model of working with the community, iwi and business on conservation, Mr Thomas said.
The city council would enable the bringing together of the joint management body, the structure and function of which were still to be decided.
