KEY POINTS:
Nature-lovers are up in arms over a plan to make money out of a scenic jewel in the Bay of Islands that is renowned as a kiwi sanctuary.
The move by the Queen Elizabeth 2 National Trust has also concerned the island's former owner, who sold it on
condition that it remained in the trust's hands.
Nature-lovers fear that selling the lease to a commercial enterprise will close Aroha Island to the public and the schoolchildren who visit and camp there to learn about saving the kiwi.
The 12ha island, in Kerikeri Inlet, is managed by the trust, which has owned it since 1991. The island is valued at $747,247 in the trust's asset list.
Community board member Jill Smith said the previous owner of the island, Dr Colin Little, sold it for $250,000 - well below market value - on the understanding it would always be owned by the trust and developed for education and public visits.
Dr Little, who now lives in Auckland, was unavailable for comment yesterday but his wife, Margaret, said: "He is very upset at the prospect of it not being open to the public.
"He has spoken to the trust and expressed his concerns about it."
Bayleys Realty Group is advertising the lease tender as a business opportunity and a chance to become the "guardian of this unique ecological waterfront property".
The island, run as an ecology centre for nature walks and talks and kiwi-watching, has a manager's house, camping ground, cabins and a conference room.
"I've been there and it's a wonderful little spot," said trust chairman Sir Brian Lochore.
"But it's costing us a lot of money each year and it's not really our principal business running things like that.
"If we could get a suitable person or organisation to run it and make a profit and do all the things that are important to Aroha Island, we will be delighted."
Sir Brian said the trust's core business was protection - with private land owners - of areas with significant natural, cultural and heritage value.
A covenant on the land dictated that any lease would contain stringent conditions to protect its natural values, such as the kiwi habitat.
"Because of the covenant we have no intention of allowing anything to be destroyed there."
Trust chief executive Margaret McKee said all the trust was doing was changing the management of the island from having employees to having a lease operation.
The term of any lease could be for 20 years but it was open at this time.
Under a lease, there would be "managed public access" which was desirable to maintain security.
The managers of the island for nine years, Gay and Greg Blunden, have been given notice to quit.
Dr Blunden is convener of the New Zealand Kiwi Foundation, which says on its website that the ecological centre will close to the public at the end of March.
About 5000 visitors a year, including school parties, come to the birding centre and for meetings and recreation.
They pay accommodation fees and small donations for visits.
Foundation trustee Russell Thomas said its two offers to take over management of the island were turned down.
"The trust have a bee in their bonnet about making a business proposition out of the island as it loses about $30,000 a year," he said.
"But any increase in campers or in providing other facilities would take away the ecological value of the island, which we consider is the main benefit."
Mr Thomas said the island hosted three pairs of kiwi and a neighbouring crown reserve about six pairs, which crossed over to the island by a causeway.
Mrs Smith said she was not reassured by the covenant or the trust's talk of managed public access.
"Along our coast there are gates going up and we are losing access to it."
Far North Mayor Yvonne Sharp, who is the local government representative on the trust, said the centre was greatly under-used.
"We are looking at whatever offers come up but the tenant must abide by the terms of the covenant and it has to be done in a sustainable way.
"We are happy for the public to have what access they have now."
