Eastwoodhill master plan 'looks very positive': Singh

Eastwoodhill interim curator Birandra Singh. Picture by Liam Clayton

Eastwoodhill has revealed a $1.5 million-a-year master plan to  boost staffing and revamp visitor attractions at New Zealand’s national arboretum.

Interim curator Birandra Singh said the plan would  ensure daily, bookable guided tours using electric vehicles and regenerative environmental opportunities for visitor participation. It would also create an environmental training centre and tree nursery,  as well as fund on-site accommodation refurbishments and instal a main arrivals entrance and road signage. The combined projects would need funding of $487,751.

“The 100-year master plan positions us to provide a long-term haven for species protection, research and propagation for repatriation when required,”  Mr Singh said.

“The master plan was created by global experts in collaboration with local stakeholders and enables critical structure and organisation of the collection needed to move forward. It also recognises the unique characteristics of the arboretum while creating a more cohesive and educational visitor experience.

“It is used as a guide to manage development, raise funds and to ensure that the second century of the National Arboretum of New Zealand is as remarkable as its first.”

Funding of between $890,000 and $975,000 would help pay a 10-member staff team, which would include a chief executive and a general manager as well as visitor guides, arborists and maintenance staff.

Funding would be needed annually.

A meeting with arboretum representatives and government departments was held in Gisborne last week to detail the plan.

“There was very positive affirmation about what sort of funding was available and what sort of relationships could be progressed.

“It looks very positive. It is the first time that something like that has been held for the National Arboretum.”

Mana whenua were also in support of the implementation plan, he said.

“I am quite excited because the range of participation was great right across the board, with representatives from the Ministry of  Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Conservation, Gisborne District Council, Trust Tairāwhiti and iwi.”

An official from Kānoa, the Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, MBIE, attended the meeting at the request of the Arboretum trustees, among other government officials in the region.

“Multiple Government agencies and key regional stakeholders were invited to understand the challenges of the Arboretum and are working directly with the trust to identify potential funding sources,” a Kānoa spokesperson said.