New Zealand National Environmental Organisation Formed

The first ever National Surfing Environmental Hui was held on July 29 at the Kokiri Centre, Raglan.

Members of the Kereopa whanau welcomed participants and former Surfing NZ president Wayne Brown acted as Chairman for the day’s program as mapped out by Greg Townsend, EO of Surfing NZ.

The hui resolved to form a national body which would affiliate with Surfing NZ, representing the views of the surfing community on environmental issues such as the proposed ocean marine farm off Christchurch.

At the conclusion of the Hui, the following Resolution was passed:

“This Hui recommends that a national body representing surfing environmental issues is formed from attendees to the Hui and other interested parties and that this surfing environment group affiliates with Surfing New Zealand.

Proposed: Jonathan McCarthy
Seconded: Peter Furze”.

Jonathan McCarthy says that the group was bound by a single objective and concern, namely the protection of the surfing environment.

“We aim to establish the world’s first Swell Corridor Reserves, to protect surfing breaks, and to provide an education programme at school level. We will also assist grass roots surfing groups with oversight and direct support to help them engage in local surfing environmental issues."

This event was a milestone for the New Zealand surfing community and its aspiration is to create an effective specialist surfing environmental lobby group similar to Forest and Bird. Those present had a common commitment and resolution to ensuring that the next generation of surfers will be able to enjoy New Zealand’s diverse surf breaks.

Currently the surfing community is opposing a proposed 10,000 hectare offshore mussel farm to be situated out from the Christchurch surf breaks. At full size, the farm will be of the same area as greater Christchurch. If it succeeds, there is the likelihood of a proliferation of such offshore farms around the New Zealand coastline.

To raise funds, a Save Our Surf Ball (“S.O.S.”) will take place in the Sumner Community Centre on 23 September 2006. The Christchurch surfing community has formed a Fundraising Action Committee and this experience will provide a fundraising model for future environmental campaigns, with a view that local clubs in each area can establish an Environmental Reserve Fund.

Those assembled were determined not to turn away from the significant and diverse issues which the surfing community faces, including sewage discharge, coastal access and offshore marine farms.

“In the future we hope that the interest of surfers will be considered when Councils, Government or developers plan a project for our coastline,” says Jonathan McCarthy.

Source: Surfing New Zealand

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