Paying the price of preservation

Gordon Turner in front of Jacky's Peak. He says his family has protected the area from development and should get rates relief. Picture / Martin Sykes

Seven days a week, 75-year-old Gordon Turner works the land at Huia on the Manukau Harbour, tending stock, grubbing out weeds and grooming the bush which merges into the Waitakere Ranges.

It's a labour of love that goes a long way back - his wife Dawn remembers him working there on the morning of their wedding and the honeymoon they spent there afterwards.

Little Huia is in his blood.

Grandfather Edward Turner, who founded New Zealand's biggest fruit and vegetable market, settled in Huia in 1892.

Part of the purchase was an old volcanic cone - a bush-clad landmark for harbour boaties that is still owned by the descendants of Edward's nine sons.

They call it "Jacky's Peak" after the original owner Jacky Marama.

"The family made it a private reserve in 1939 to protect it from being cut up," said Gordon Turner.

The peak is adjacent to the 15ha of pasture and bush where Mr Turner and son Ken run sheep, cattle and pigs.

They sold a third of their land to the Auckland Regional Council in 1968, adding to sales and gifts by other Turner family members that allowed expansion of the coastal reserve along to Whatipu in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.

Mr Turner said the family had contributed to the tranquil Huia environment and desired to protect it from development.

They sought recognition of that by the Waitakere City Council, in the form of rates relief.

City council rates on the small farm last year were more than $4000, excluding the homestead.

"The land we farm cannot make a profit," said Mr Turner.

"Since my retirement 15 years ago I have kept it clean and tidy seven days a week without wages and my son and grandchildren put in unpaid time too.

"If we shear 200 sheep the wool is worth $1200 - just enough for a quarterly rates payment."

Mr Turner said he feared this year's rates would be much higher due to a recent rating revaluation which showed a $155,000 rise.

The rates on the private reserve of Jacky's Peak were $1844.

Previous councils refused to grant it relief for fear of creating a precedent.

He said the council was proposing legislation to permanently protect the ranges, foothills and beaches.

"We are not against protecting the ranges but feel that land owners who have been protecting them against subdivision must be helped with the struggle and cost of those actions."

The council's Green Network policy offers rates relief for properties with natural heritage features.

However, relief excludes uniform annual charges of $540 and landowners must attach a conservation covenant, have a management plan for the land and forgo any future subdivision rights.

Council finance committee chairman Janet Clews said few people had taken up the Green Network offer.

"If Mr Turner comes up with a sound argument the council will consider it," said Mrs Clews.

The city and regional councils are expected next week to view draft legislation for ranges protection.

Mrs Clews said land would become more valuable if it were protected from subdivision through both the District Plan and legislation.