Raft built to provide access to beach

Ngati Kere is determined to regain access to Blackhead Point Beach by Christmas, building a raft for vehicles to cross a stream yesterday.

Porangahau farmer Frank Gordon has blocked direct access to Blackhead Point Beach, a traditional seafood gathering place, forcing Maori to take a much longer 4WD-only paper road that crosses a deep river with no bridge.

This year a land-swap deal failed, whereby the paper road would pass to him in return for public access on the traditional direct route.

Mr Gordon is believed to have sought compensation for several years of inconvenience from people traversing his land.

Mr Gordon could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The beach has dozens of vacant sections from a village planned in the 19th century, owned by the Crown, Mr Gordon and the Hunter family.

The Crown sections are due to return to Ngati Kere under a Treaty of Waitangi Deed of Settlement with Heretaunga Tamatea.

Rongomaraeroa Marae chairman Ahuriri Houkamau said said the paper road was the only way forward.

"We have had all emotions under the sun but have decided to leave Frank Gordon to Frank Gordon," he said. "There is a public road we can use, so we will find our way to the beach."

The road is a 4WD-only track that crosses the Waikaraka Stream, currently about 3m deep with steep banks.

A working bee was held yesterday by Te Pari-o-Mahu Beach Access Group, building a raft with 21 steel drums.

The raft was the only legal way for vehicles to cross the river in time for Christmas.

"We have the expertise and equipment to build a bridge but we are not allowed to, but we are allowed to use any sort of floating device - this is us abiding by the law. It is not a permanent structure and you can take it in and out of the water."

The Central Hawke's Bay Council was responsible for the paper road.

"By law they don't have to do any work on the paper road but they are very good at telling us what we can't do."

He has concerns for the safety of people loading vehicles onto the barge.

"I hope we don't get any bloody cowboys," he said.

Central Hawke's Bay councillor Terry Story said the council was unlikely to make an actual road from the paper road.

"It is a real shame the two parties couldn't reach some sort of agreement."