The value of sand dunes in today’s changing climate was explored by coastal experts at a conference in Tauranga in February. Over 150 people attended the successful event.

The Hon David Parker, the Minister for Climate Change Issues, was keynote speaker for the event. It was organised by Environment Bay of Plenty for the Dune Restoration Trust of New Zealand, formerly the Coastal Dune Vegetation Network.

The four-day conference focused on the sustainable management of New Zealand’s coastal environment. It included a session by Richard Warrick of the International Global Change Institute on the need for practical coastal management in a time of climate change and sea level rise. Another workshop, by NIWA’s James Goff, looked at the role strong sand dunes play during tsunami events.

A series of field trips showcased the practical work carried out by community groups to strengthen the Bay of Plenty’s sand dunes.

Dune Restoration and Climate Change - Hon David Parker (70KB, doc)

Coast Care - A Success Story - Councillor Bill Cleghorn (30KB, pdf)

A journey of dune discoveries in the Bay of Plenty - Greg Jenks (4MB, pdf)

Christchurch City Coastal Events and Review 2006/07 - Christchurch City Council (1.2MB, pdf)

Beachcare Programme: 05/06 Report - Environment Waikato (4MB, pdf)

Do intact dunes really matter during tsunami events? - James Goff, NIWA (2.4MB, pdf)

Vehicles on Beaches Survey - Kieran Douglas, Environment Bay of Plenty (1.3MB, pdf)

Long Bay Dune Restoration Project - Matthew McNeil, Auckland Regional Council (1MB, pdf)

Muriwai Beachcare Group - Micah Butt, Auckland Regional Council (342KB, pdf)

Coast Care in Northland - Northland Regional Council (3.7MB, pdf)

Climate Change, Sea-Level Rise and the Implications for Practical Coastal Management - Richard Warrick, International Global Change Institute (IGCI) The University of Waikato (1MB, pdf)

Dune Restoration in Association with the Surf Reef Programme - ASR (11MB, pdf)

Duneland Natural Character: Back to the Future - Simon Smale, Department of Conservation (4.2MB, pdf)

Reflections - Harley Spence, David Bergin and Greg Jenks,Dune Restoration Trust of New Zealand (11MB, pdf)

Weed Control on Bay of Plenty Sand Dunes - Tim Senior, Environment Bay of Plenty (7MB, pdf)

Cross-shore sand exchange & dune restoration - Dr Willem de Lange, Earth & Ocean Sciences University of Waikato (1.2MB, pdf)

Sharing the Knowledge - Fieldtrip notes - Dunes Trust (2.1MB, pdf)

Dune Restoration Trust Conference Debrief - Dunes Trust (42KB, pdf)

Notes and Speakers' Questions and Answers - Dunes Trust (79KB, pdf)