Bay of Plenty Regional Council is inviting the public to come along for a 'cuppa and a chat” to contribute fresh ideas for the next set of actions in improving Ohiwa Harbour.

The three community open evenings, between July 1-3, are open to the public as well as iwi and hapu.

Ohiwa Harbour.

The Ohiwa Harbour Strategy, which guides the management of the Ohiwa Harbour, is now six years old and needs a refresh. Almost all of the actions set out in the strategy have either been completed or are now part of business as usual, says council.

The Ohiwa Harbour is a large shallow estuary situated 11km east of Whakatane and 16km west of Opotiki in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Council say partner organisations and the wider community, particularly those who live in the Ohiwa Harbour and Nukuhou River catchments, are invited to help develop a priority list of new actions for the next five years.

Ohiwa Harbour Implementation Forum chairman Tiipene Marr explains that Ohiwa Harbour partners are seeking definitive, achievable actions for the coming years.

‘The Ohiwa Harbour Strategy is action-focussed and we have achieved a lot in the last few years that have really made a difference to the health of the harbour,” says Tiipene.

'So we are asking the community for the next set of priority tasks: how would you like to see the harbour managed over the next few years? What should our priorities be?

'We would really like to get as much feedback from as many people as we can. So all Ohiwa Harbour community members and anyone else with an interest in the harbour are invited to contribute their ideas at the drop in sessions.”

The sessions will be very informal and everyone with any interest in the harbour is welcome to come along for a ‘cuppa and a chat'.

The three public open sessions are:

• Tuesday July 1 from 5pm to 8pm at Ohope Golf Club.
• Wednesday July 2 from 5pm to 8pm at Ohiwa Family Holiday Park.
• Thursday July 3 from 5pm to 8pm at Nukuhou North Settlers Hall.

For more information click here.