Bay of Plenty Regional Council is conducting a survey during the Easter holiday to learn about the public's uses of Tauranga harbour.

It is being undertaken by recreation studies students from the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, who will be stationed at popular spots around the harbour to observe and record recreation observed.

Some harbour uses are more easily identifiable than others.

This includes record taking of vessels on the water, people and craft at the beach and at other nearby places.

There are giveaways for people taking part in the survey and the opportunity to win a petrol voucher valued at $50.

The survey is part of the Tauranga harbour recreation strategy that was prepared in partnership with Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council in 2008 to manage recreational use of Tauranga Moana.

The regional council's operation, monitoring and regulation committee chair, Malcolm Whitaker, says the strategy acknowledges the recreation opportunities available on and around the harbour are a significant attraction.

'The qualities of the leisure and recreation opportunities and the physical environment are two of the top reasons why people move to this area, but currently there are no consistent baseline measures to tell us who is using the harbour, what they're using it for and how often,” says Malcolm.

'The harbour is not only important for recreation; it underpins our way of life in the Western Bay of Plenty and supports the social and economic wellbeing of the community.”

He says the findings of the earlier survey, compiled over the new year holiday, are interesting and prove valuable as a baseline measure for further survey information.
'The data collected exceeded the survey's minimum statistical sample size and provided excellent feedback and interesting information regarding current use patterns and recreation values.

'Overall the public were responsive to the request to be interviewed and very few people declined to be surveyed.

'The harbour is used for a wide variety of recreational interests, from boating and swimming to kayaking and shellfish gathering.”

The Easter survey is being carried out at these Tauranga Harbour access points:

· Anzac Bay

· Tanners Point

· Ongare-Kauri Point

· Pahoia Reserve

· Omokoroa Domain

· Fergusson Park

· Sulphur Point

· Pilot Bay