By WAYNE THOMPSON
The Kaipara Harbour farm retreat of American rock star Anthony Kiedis, lead singer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is on the market.
One option being looked at is the Auckland Regional Council's buying it as a possible new Auckland Regional Park.
Kiedis bought the 68ha farm with
its spectacular harbour views in May 1996.
The agents for Kiedis, Bayleys Real Estate, confirmed that the property was on the market for over $1 million yesterday.
Kiedis, known for his rock-star attitude and distinctive tattoos, bought the farm at auction. It is believed he paid $1.42 million after bidding by phone from Melbourne while the band was touring Australia.
The farm is an ideal place for a star to chill out. It is at Mosquito Bay, near the isolated tip of the South Kaipara Head.
The property has a farmhouse, manager's cottage, a swimming pool and one of the few private beaches on the harbour.
Residents of South Head Rd said they knew Kiedis had visited the property several times.
He had attended barbecues there and had been kind to young fans seeking autographs.
Kiedis and the band played at the Big Day Out in Auckland in 1999 and sales of their latest album, Californication, were solid in New Zealand.
The prospect of the public's walking freely over the property was raised in a "confidential item" on the public agenda at the recent ARC parks committee meeting.
This item disclosed that Mosquito Bay was on the council's list of 20 possibilities for future park purchase.
Councillors inspected the farm last week.
But yesterday an ARC spokesman refused to comment on whether negotiations were under way.
The Rodney representative on the regional council, Brian Smith, said the property contained a wetland and a Maori pa site.
It was in the same area as the Woodhill Forest and Department of Conservation reserves with sand dune lakes.
