It's a big harbour and there's room for everyone.

If officials were really serious about the environment and safety in Hunters Creek, they'd either get rid of this, or turn it into an artificial ski take-off island.

There are a lot of opinions flying at the moment, with the future of Hunters Creek ski lanes called into question and a decision due in a week or so. So here's another.

There is room for all water users and residents to exist in harmony, if only everyone acted responsibility, respected each others' space and property and stuck to the deal. Sounds like a Tui billboard?

Clearly that hasn't been happening in Hunters Creek for many years and if ski lanes get the chop, it will be a case of a few idiots spoiling it for the majority.

As a yachtie, powerboater, kayaker, wake surfer and harbour warden, I like to think that I see all the issues from all sides. As a waterfront dweller, I can equally understand the frustrations of the island land owners.

I can understand the irritation, and downright danger, caused for yachties and launch owners when they've settled for the evening in the placid waters of Hunters Creek, only to be harassed and threatened (whether perceived or real) by hooning powerboaters – roaring within metres of their craft on all manner of ski boats, water toys and jet skis. For some reason, they think the people in the cockpit, fishing with the kids or enjoying a quiet G&T, are somehow impressed.
On the other side of the argument, I can see why the powerboat crowd is drawn to the same mirror flat water conditions… only to carve it up into a seething froth.

About ten years ago I assisted the harbourmaster of the time to broker a deal with yachties and skiers over positioning of the ski lanes and it was clear then that a lot of compromise was required on both sides to find any sort of answer. The poles were plonked into the Matakana sands with some pretty clear signage. Since then, all those rules have been pretty much ignored, sadly not only by the skiers but there's been some pretty arrogant anchoring as well from some stubborn yacht and launch folk, which hasn't helped attitudes and tensions.

While the arrangement that we came to a decade ago hasn't been perfect, at least it was a genuine attempt to sort the situation. Policing of the area has been woefully inadequate, due mainly to funding limitations.
The Harbourmaster and his deputies patrol the busy times when they can. The volunteer Harbour Wardens try to cover it, but you can guarantee behaviour is uncannily good whenever official eyes are watching; as soon as the harbourmaster or the wardens' boats turn the corner, it's 'game on” again for the shenanigans.

The solution as I see it, from the perspective of all boating factions is this:
1. The ski lane area is too big. Skiers, biscuiters and boarders tend to roar into the mouth of the creek, ski all the way up to the ski lane, beyond it and through the designated anchorage area, and back. Restrict skiing to the area immediately to the west of Matakana's beach.
2. That will mean a manageable ski zone for wardens to patrol. The skiers need to stump up with some volunteers to keep their own in line. Not just rely on the existing harbour wardens; how about over the steamy summer period, some dedicated Hunters Creek ski rangers? (Must talk to the harbourmaster on that one!)
3. Beef up the signage (even though it's a blight on the landscape) and step up organised professional and volunteer patrols on a roster, till the education message is hammered home.
4. Drop the top end of the ski lane, reserve as anchorage only. That also will keep the ski fraternity away from the sensitive land owners at the upper end on Rangiwaea Island. Encourage that area as a peaceful anchorage; five knot max and no wake zone.
5. Promote and police the five knot and wake restriction in anchorages and within 200m of the Rangiwaea Wharf. This should help placate the long suffering residents at the settlement near the wharf, and protection their craft. This policing and education should extend to the residents, who also need reminding the speed rules apply to them, not just the ski boats! I've seen them approach the wharf at scary pace, too.
6. Establish more ski lanes, not fewer. The problem in Tauranga harbour is finding enough deep water that is safe to use, and also with road access. The best areas are waterlocked.
7. Then once it's in place, police it. Educate the users. That is best done with regular presence of harbourmaster and rostered wardens.
8. Finally, if EBOP was serious about the environment and safety of water users up there, it would get rid of the derelict explosives barge. Not only is it an eyesore, it's a dangerous obstruction in the waterway, creates a blind spot on a corner of the channel and is an accident waiting to happen. OR develop it as a safe artificial island for ski take offs. But leaving it as a hazard to continue rusting and crumbling for another 40 years? Not a good option.

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