Morning Star Reserve

Draft Reserve Management Plan out for consultation

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu is seeking public feedback on a draft Reserve Management Plan for Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve in Tāhuna, Queenstown.

Feedback from the first phase of community consultation has been considered in the development of the draft plan, which can be viewed online here.

Physical copies of the draft plan are available for viewing during regular business hours at the Shotover Jet base in Arthurs Point, the Department of Conservation’s Whakatipu-wai-Māori Queenstown Visitor Centre and the office of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu in Addington, Christchurch.

Submissions on the draft plan are open until 28 August 2025 and can be made by emailing [email protected] with "Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve Management Plan" in the subject line.

Anyone preferring to submit via post should send their submission to:
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
PO Box 13-046
Christchurch 8141

Please address your submission to Puna Mahara and include your name, address, telephone number, and email address. Please indicate if you wish to be heard in support of your submission.

All submissions will be considered in the preparation of the final Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve Management Plan.

This notice is published in accordance with section 41(6)(a) of the Reserves Act 1977.

About Morning Star Recreation Reserve

Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve is located on the banks of Kimiākau (Shotover River) in Tāhuna (Queenstown).

In October 2023, the Minister of Conservation vested in Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu the administration and control of the part of the reserve outlined in yellow on the site map. This area covers 0.8 hectares, while the rest of Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve (approx. 8.8 ha) remains under the administration of the Department of Conservation.

The Minister of Conservation also approved the delegation of some Ministerial powers under the Reserves Act 1977 to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu subject to a Conflicts Management Plan.

Shotover Jet, one of the Ngāi Tahu Tourism businesses, has a long-term lease of the site. Under the terms of the vesting, the rent from the lease will now be paid to Te Rūnanga for reinvestment in the site and other Department of Conservation administered reserve land within the wider Shotover catchment. The vesting of the Reserve presents a significant opportunity for Ngāi Tahu to exercise rangatiratanga in line with our mātauranga, kawa and tikanga.

A Mana Whenua kōmiti comprising representatives of the seven Papatipu Rūnanga exercising mana whenua over the Reserve has been established to support the on-going management of the Reserve.

Reserve Management Plan process

The Morning Star Reserve vesting conditions require the development and implementation of a reserve management plan for the vested site. The plan will identify the vision, objectives, policies and priorities for the reserve and reserve pūtea over the next 5 to 10 years.

The process for the development of a reserve management plan is detailed in the Reserves Act 1977 and summarised below.