COMMENT
Hands together for Conservation Minister Chris Carter, for overriding the opposition of short-sighted departmental advisers and making the purchase of Kaikoura Island happen.
For little more than the cost of a dozen or so old Ponsonby villas, Mr Carter has ensured this 564ha Hauraki Gulf gem remains safe in public ownership.
In
50 years, Kaikoura will be the One Tree Hill of the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland's world-acclaimed front-door nature reserve.
And I have little doubt that visitors, strolling wide-eyed through the restored primeval bushlands, will be appalled that parsimonious local politicians were once happy to see it slip into the hands of foreign property sub-dividers.
Now that Mr Carter has done the hard work, it's time for contrite Auckland mayors to show the region's gratitude in a practical way by contributing a million or two dollars towards the purchase price.
After the battle Mr Carter has conducted within his own department on behalf of his fellow Aucklanders to clinch this sale, this is the least they can do.
It also seems fair after the largesse - all deserved, of course - the Government has been directing Auckland's way in recent months.
The Government has agreed to supply about half the $10.5 million purchase price through the Nature Heritage Fund's "public wildlands programme". Auckland's ASB Trusts will put up $2 million, tagging it for some sort of Outward Bound-type or other educational activity for the youth of Auckland.
With that $2 million comes a promise from Brian Lythe, the trusts' donations chairman, to commit more, "if the local bodies of the Auckland region collectively make a substantial contribution to the project".
The battle for Kaikoura Island has been a lengthy one. It last sold in 1995 for around $2 million to a New Zealander.
At that time, a group called "Save our Islands Trust", which included activists such as present regional councillor Mike Lee, tried to get the island brought into public ownership. They saw it as the cornerstone of a future Hauraki Gulf national maritime park.
But the Department of Conservation was not interested. Neither were the Auckland Regional Council and Auckland City.
During the America's Cup regatta in the summer of 2002-2003, the island went back on the market for $10 million.
It drew no takers, but the Native Forests Restoration Trust, fearing it was only a matter of time before it did, made it its next project.
This time last year, the trust announced its intention to start fundraising.
That coincided with Sports Minister Trevor Mallard and Auckland City Mayor John Banks announcing plans to build a $10 million glass mausoleum in memory of slain sailor Sir Peter Blake.
I chose the moment to suggest that using the money to buy Kaikoura Island would create a much better memorial for a man whose ambition was to follow in the footsteps of Jacques Cousteau and save the planet.
Most Aucklanders agreed, but politicians such as Mr Banks and councillor Scott Milne were upset that "a low-level columnist" - to use one of the kinder slurs - had made mock of their glass monstrosity.
Few people would want to travel the distance to see some goats, said Mr Banks. Committing ratepayers' money would be "the kiss of death" to his re-election chances.
The Department of Conservation wasn't interested either. Its priority was a swamp on Great Barrier Island. Auckland spokesman Warwick Murray said Kaikoura didn't have the conservation value "to justify its price".
Even Mr Carter fell in behind his staff, agreeing in a letter to Mr Lee that while the island had "significant conservation values" he did not propose to purchase the island.
Thankfully, he had second thoughts.
Critics say Kaikoura is too remote. But that is its charm and blessing. Brian Lythe puts it well when he talks of taking the long-term view. "It's a bit like some of the regional parks which were bought ahead of time."
People mocked when far-sighted Auckland councillors bought up wide stretches of the Waitakere Ranges decades ago as future reserve land. Ditto, with the regional parks that now dot the isthmus.
Kaikoura Island is our chance to carry on this proud tradition.
Chris Carter can be proud of his role.
Today, it's the turn of the mayoral forum, on our behalf, to help fund a centennial park for the 21st century.
Herald Feature: Conservation and Environment
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COMMENT
Hands together for Conservation Minister Chris Carter, for overriding the opposition of short-sighted departmental advisers and making the purchase of Kaikoura Island happen.
For little more than the cost of a dozen or so old Ponsonby villas, Mr Carter has ensured this 564ha Hauraki Gulf gem remains safe in public ownership.
In
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