Hamburger each would buy island

By ANNE BESTON, environment reporter

West Aucklanders will be invited to buy a Hauraki Gulf island for the price of a hamburger if local bodies in Auckland back a public ownership campaign.

Auckland mayors voted last week to ask their councils to contribute to the $5 million to $10 million price of Kaikoura Island, off the coast of Great Barrier Island.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, an enthusiastic supporter of the plan, said that if the councils voted to contribute to buying the 564ha island, it would cost Waitakere ratepayers about $2.60 each - "about the price of a hamburger".

The one-off payment would appear as a line on ratepayers' bills.

"I think people are happy to pay for something when they know what they're getting and that it's important," he said.

Kaikoura Island, touted this year as a possible substitute memorial to yachtsman Sir Peter Blake, already has a pledge from Conservation Minister Chris Carter of $1 million, but the mayors will ask for more from the Government when they meet Cabinet ministers this week.

Those involved in the public ownership campaign are working on a sale price of $6 million, although the island's New Zealand owner advertised it this year for $10 million in the hope that it would attract the eye and wallet of a visiting America's Cup billionaire.

The idea of the island as a memorial was jettisoned by Sir Peter's widow, Lady Pippa, who supports the intended museum-type tribute on the Auckland waterfront, but a conservation organisation is pushing ahead with the public ownership campaign.

Forest Restoration Trust spokesman Geoff Davidson yesterday called the mayoral vote "positive". He said the trust had also approached the ASB Bank Charitable Trust.

Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis is another enthusiastic backer of the plan and said he would add his voice to calls on the Government to put more money in the kitty.

"I'm determined we are going to get this island into public ownership," he said.

"Philosophically I believe any privately owned islands that come up for sale we should endeavour to bring into public ownership."

Sir Barry said it would be "ludicrous" if Auckland's local councils could not stump up with the money.

Auckland Mayor John Banks was less enthusiastic about his council contributing to Kaikoura.

He said that with a "$5.6 billion surplus", the Government should match council funds dollar for dollar.