Blaikie questioned whether his client's actions could be described as reckless, though he conceded there was a degree of negligence and he could not escape civil liability of up to $25,000.
Blaikie indicated he would seek a Section 147, or a dismissal of the charge.
If the judge-alone trial goes ahead it is expected to last one or two days.
Prosecutor Russell Price said police expected to call 10 witnesses while Blaikie said he was likely to call one.
The case, if it does proceed, will be called again on May 29 when a pre-trial date will be set.
Seven fire appliances and about 30 firefighters from Kerikeri, Kaeo, Kaikohe, Kawakawa and Okaihau responded to the fire with cliffside hotspots doused by helicopter the following morning.
Rangihoua Heritage Park includes Rangihoua pā and the site of the first European settlement in New Zealand, and Marsden Cross, which marks the site of the first Christian service on New Zealand soil.
The park is known for its high density of kiwi but it is not thought any of the protected birds died in the fire. Fire restrictions were in place across Northland at the time.
