Hauraki Gulf perfect location for a memorial

By JIM HOLDAWAY and TED LEES

As two of the original members of the 1960s Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park Board, we have followed the debate on the Blake Memorial with concern. Something has been lost. If New Zealanders want to celebrate the life of an inspirational man, Sir Peter Blake, they should look no further than the Hauraki Gulf.

Of course, the wishes of the Blake family must be respected, and records of Sir Peter's great achievements should be suitably displayed at the Maritime Museum, along with his winning America's Cup yacht. Black Magic might stand in front of that museum in place of the immense, losing vessel from an earlier campaign.

But what would stand the test of time, and indeed grow with time, would be a living tribute, to which we could all actively contribute, and in which we could all participate. A living tribute to a man whose life was lived in the wide open spaces, and significantly in the Hauraki Gulf.

Why could we not have both tributes?

We acknowledge there are funding issues and lament the opportunity lost with the sale of many of the city's Auckland International Airport shares, an asset that could have sustained any number of conservation initiatives.

However, siting Sir Peter's winning boat in front of the Maritime Museum should not require additional construction or a large sum of money. It is possible to do both.

The early vision of the people of Auckland for the gulf was to acquire and protect as many of the 60 special islands within its waters. The battles over funding, ownership and access - be they Kawau or Motutapu - were long but always the goal was for the the park to be enlarged and enriched.

In the early days, the only funds for development came from farm income off Motutapu. On Motuihe, Kawau and Rangitoto, there were particular needs.

The then park ranger, George Holmes, arranged with the Justice Department for young periodic detention workers to work weekends on the islands. They would be brought over on Saturday mornings and would work on the pathways, weeding and planting. Their rations, supplied by the department, were used for a barbecue on the Saturday night on Rangitoto.

When their sentences were finished, many of these young people wanted to continue voluntarily because they realised they were achieving something and enjoying the island atmosphere.

Our young people today must be given the opportunity to see and experience the wonderful places the gulf has to offer, rather than spending time shopping in malls or driving hot-rods down Queen St for entertainment.

Since the Hauraki Gulf Park was established, the Auckland region's population has increased by a million. We must add parks and not remain complacent about those gifted over 100 years ago.

There have been some great achievements. Our generation received the wonderful endowment of a wildlife sanctuary of world importance at Hauturu Little Barrier Island. We have seen the wild cats removed and now await the removal of kiore, thus enabling the island's full potential as a refuge for critically endangered plants and animals to be realised.

The public turned out with boots and spades to turn Tiri Tiri into another such refuge, this time open to us all to visit, and accessible. A visit there is magic.

The Mansion House and historic garden at Kawau are among the nation's finest historic restorations. And the marine reserve at Leigh not only achieved its scientific purpose but has given pleasure to thousands.

At the other end of the gulf in the Firth of Thames, we have the great wading bird sanctuary and feeding ground in a Ramsar Wetland.

We urge those responsible for the stewardship of the gulf today to hold true to this vision which, of course, includes Kaikoura Island, as well as the many other islands.

A major problem in the debate over Kaikoura is that the expectation of the seller may now be unreasonably raised. Our involvement in the Save Our Islands Trust to buy Kaikoura for the public in the 1990s suggests the sum being discussed through the media is unrealistic in terms of the island's likely fair market value.

It is heartening to see a growing number of community groups re-establishing cultural and heritage links on the islands with programmes of ecological restoration and educational opportunities.

There are also youth camps teaching outdoor recreation and plans for a student-based environmental educational centre involving marine studies and activities on Motutapu Island. These might also be considered as worthy for a Blake memorial.

The goal should be to champion all of these projects and to see them expanded and supported. This requires commitment from our community leaders.

The gulf's qualities contribute strongly to shaping our national identity while providing the playground for the boating, camping and tramping that awakens a sense of place and purpose and the need for conservation and quality environmental practice.

This is the challenge. Where did the young Peter Blake, mucking about in a dinghy in the 1960s, draw his inspiration? The Hauraki Gulf. Where will the thousands of young would-be sailor adventurers, wishing to leave their mark on the world, start their journey? It will be in the embrace of the waters and islands, learning about life through the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park - just as the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Jack Sinclair, envisaged in the 1950s when the park was established.

Those making decisions for the commemoration of one of Auckland's great sons must not act in haste. They must step back, consult the community (and a few hopefully wise old battlers for the gulf), and reflect on what the future could be.