Ownership of land changes after 170 years

by Peter de Graaf
The last remaining privately-owned block of land at the historic Kerikeri Basin is now in public hands.
The property - which is across the road from the Stone Store, and is home to a restaurant, a blacksmith's shed and a pear tree planted in 1819 - was sold this week to the Far North District Council and the Department of Conservation.
It had been owned by the Kemp family for nearly 170 years and is leased to the operators of The Landing restaurant.
The Environment Ministry and DOC are keeping mum on the price at the family's request.
DOC's Northland conservator Chris Jenkins would say only it was bought at market value, with the cost split between the council and DOC's Land Purchase Fund.
The sale would have no effect on the restaurant. The council was "very keen" for it to remain and DOC agreed it was a useful facility for visitors.
The sale would have little immediate effect for visitors to the Kerikeri Basin but would make planning for its future "a heck of a lot easier".
Mr Jenkins said the idea of buying the land was raised with the Kemp family more than a decade ago but negotiations had begun in earnest only recently.
"It's been in the family for going on 170 years so it wasn't an easy decision for them to make. We're very grateful to them that they were willing to part with it."
While the property's original Church of England Mission buildings had long gone, it still had "a lot of treasures" - including one of New Zealand's oldest fruit trees.
The remaining land at the Basin not managed by DOC is owned by the Historic Places Trust and the council.
Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick said the purchase protected a critical part of the Basin, while allowing footpaths and access to a new car park behind the property.
Far North Mayor Wayne Brown said the purchase of the Kemp property reflected the good working relationship between the district council and DOC through the Kerikeri Heritage Bypass project.
The $17 million Government-funded bypass - which diverts through traffic away from the historic Kerikeri Basin - was opened in June.
The single-lane bridge has been demolished but a budget blowout has stalled plans for a replacement pedestrian bridge.