Letters: Hamurana Springs fees upset locals

Working to clear and revitalise parts of Hamurana Springs, which now costs to enter. Photo/file

So, I now have to pay to walk the Hamurana Springs. The same springs which I lovingly helped to maintain for 10 years as part of the Hamurana Springs Incorporated Society. The society was inaugurated in 2003 with members of the community meeting once a month to clear, mow, and maintain the springs.

Over a thousand native shrubs were planted. A grove of native trees was developed from donations by overseas visitors. Members hosted bus tours and school visits. Some members assisted with trout removal.

The society supported the ownership claim by Ngati Rangiwewehi which clearly stated that the Hamurana Springs were and always had been a public reserve, this would continue within the change of ownership.

The springs would, under the ownership claim, continue to remain free to all visitors.
The society continued the free maintenance of the springs.

However, lack of communication on behalf of Ngati Rangiwewehi and lack of support for what we were doing, included not allowing supervised burning of debris from work days, no permission to add more tables and seating which the society would provide.

Ngati Rangiwewehi was informed every work day of what we intended to work on and two lads were welcome help to the society. With membership declining the society informed Ngati Rangiwewehi it would go into recess. No comment.

So, I now have to pay to enter the fortified public reserve.

This is a personal letter not written on behalf of the society.

SALLY FRENCH
Pomare

Fees too high

With regard to the fencing off and gate fee of Hamurana Springs.

I am disgusted at what is in effect the privatisation of what was considered a public park.

Yes, keeping the place tidy and well maintained costs money (not that it was that well maintained).

But surely some sort of cost sharing arrangement could have been reached between the tribe, the Rotorua Lakes Council and/or the Department of Conservation?

A total of $18 for one adult? Yes the park is beautiful, and a natural treasure, but it's not worth that much, not even on a good day.

I will personally be boycotting this park now, and encouraging everyone I know to boycott it too.

I hope others to do the same until sanity prevails and the park is opened to the public again.

DALE JONES
Rotorua
(Abridged)