Resource consent has been granted to mechanically remove mangroves from Tauranga Harbour.

The consent period is for two years from 1 January 2010. Work will begin in January and is expected to take approximately four to five months to clear 92 hectares of mangroves from 11 sites.
The consent is granted to Environment Bay of Plenty by Minister of Conservation Tim Groser, and is announced today.
'The fact that we are now looking at mechanical means of mangrove management is a huge landslide victory for community action in the Bay of Plenty but also for other regions in the North Island where mangroves are an issue,” says regional councilor Jane Nees.
'Considering eight years ago we were in a battle over whether we could even remove mangroves, amazing progress has been made in advancing the cause of pragmatic estuary management. This is a testament to the hard work and determination of the community groups,”
Estuary Care groups in the Western Bay of Plenty will now be able to focus on other aspects of estuary restoration, says Estuary Care Leaders Forum chair Kirsty Walker.
'The decision is a long awaited validation of our work,” says Kirsty.
'We have received huge support from the community and Environment Bay of Plenty but ultimately it has been a struggle to manage mangroves and still find the time and energy to work on the really satisfying aspects of estuary restoration.”
A low ground pressure machine with a mulching unit attached will clear the mangroves. The machine exerts approximately 2psi ground pressure - significantly less than a human footprint.
The mechanical removal is for areas that are already consented for removal by 10 estuary care groups across Tauranga Harbour.