Operative Waikato Regional Policy Statement (October 2000)
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3 Significant Resource Management Issues, Objectives, Policies and Methods
3.3 Land and Soil
3.3.3 Western and Central Hill Country
The western hill country extends along the length of the Waikato's west coast, decreasing in altitude and becoming more dissected to the north. Sedimentary rocks form the hill country and are overlaid by varying thicknesses of volcanic ash. Due to their slope, these hills are prone to sheet erosion, particularly where there is heavy stocking. In addition, many of the underlying rocks are old and deeply weathered, resulting in them being prone to mass movements. Large tracts of indigenous forest south of Kawhia play an important role in water and soil conservation. An extensive cave and karst system exists in the western hill country. This system is being used increasingly for recreation and tourism.
The central hill country consists principally of the Hapuakohe Range and the southern section of the Hunua Range, but also includes the Pakaroa Hills to the south of Morrinsville. Indigenous forest spans the tops of the Hapuakohe Range. Extensive stock grazing is the predominant land use and there are also areas of plantation forestry. Deforestation has reduced soil resistance to landsliding processes and storms of moderate intensity can result in serious erosion1.
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Footnotes
- In 1993, a soil conservation scheme was prepared to ameliorate erosion and sedimentation problems in the Waitomo Caves catchment.