This is the closest island to Auckland. Photo/Martin Sykes
This is the closest island to Auckland. Photo/Martin Sykes
A community group has welcomed a deal for the closest inshore Hauraki Gulf island to Auckland to become the area's newest regional park early next year and it anticipates a major ecological programme there.
Bronwen Turner, president of Auckland's Friends of Regional Parks, welcomed the decision for Auckland Council totake control of Motukorea Browns Island from a government department.
That opened up huge recreational, nature, heritage, boating, walking and camping opportunities, she said, as well as transforming the island into a haven of native flora and fauna.
"The new park also offers opportunities for volunteers to work with the council to restore the ecology of this centrally located island, ravaged by a recent scrub and grass fire," she said.
Last November, a fire damaged a quarter of the island when a person stranded there lit a signal fire which got out of control.
Motukorea Browns Island is the closest Hauraki Gulf island to the Auckland isthmus.
Turner said Aucklanders would be the beneficiaries of the decision over the precious 60ha island, now mainly in pasture for grazing, unlike many of the other islands which have been re-vegetated.
The council is taking back the administration and management from the Department of Conservation after agreement with the Government. As one of the best preserved volcanic cones in the Auckland area, it has been managed by DoC since 1990.
"It makes sense for Auckland Council to manage an island it owns," said DoC's Andrew Baucke in January.
Motukorea Browns Island, which was damaged by fire in November. Photo/Michael Craig
Turner said the island added to the chain of the region's priceless regional parks along the coast of the Hauraki Gulf.
"We applaud the energy and persistence of Auckland Council to guarantee public access and enjoyment of this remarkable asset into the future," Turner said.
Around 75 per cent of Aucklanders' recreation is informal, such as biking, walking and enjoying beaches, with only 25 per cent involved in organised sport, she said.
Auckland was becoming more intensively developed and Turner said her organisation wanted the council to buy and develop more regional parks to the north and south of Auckland.
"Among the opportunities are Crater Hill, the Okura Estuary and properties along the route of the Te Araroa walking trail," she said.
Todd Property has plans to develop the land around the Okura Estuary.
Motukorea Browns Island history:
• Sold by Ngati Tamatera in 1840;
• Settlers Sir John Logan Campbell and William Brown bought it;
• Island has a succession of owners;
• 1955: Ex-Auckland mayor and brewing magnate Sir Ernest Davis bought it;
• He gave it to the people of Auckland;
• Managed for the city by various entities;
• Under the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park Board and Department of Conservation;
• From February 2, 2018, Auckland Council to resume management;
• Group of volunteers being formed to assist in ecological restoration
