Editorial: Bay's perpetual 'paradise'

PRESERVED: Councils' purchase of Waipatiki Beach Holiday Park is a masterstroke, writes Mark Story. PHOTO FILE

What a heartening piece of news.

On Thursday it was announced that a local lot of "coastal paradise" will stay in public ownership thanks to a decision by Napier, Hastings and regional councils, which each forked out $300,000 to purchase the Waipatiki Beach Holiday Park.

The public package includes the land, buildings and business, with the ownership sitting with regional council.

It's ensured memories will continue for generations for Kiwis who have long had a fascination with this country's salty shoreline.

The initiative mirrors the efforts of Duane Major and Adam Gard'ner, who earlier this year sparked a groundswell of support from Kiwis who successfully bought into a campaign to purchase a piece of Abel Tasman shoreline. About 40,000 New Zealanders pledged $2,278,171 to buy the beach in Awaroa Inlet.

The enterprising chaps thus etched their names into foreshore folklore.

Like that initiative deserved congratulations, so too does this.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said campsite owners Anne and Bill Perry merited special mention for ensuring the amenity remained accessible to all.

"It would have been a great deal simpler for you [Perry family] if you had sold this land privately and there is no doubt you would have achieved a much greater price for it,'' Mr Yule said.

The family had owned the original farm since Mr Perry's grandmother "drew" the 404ha in 1910. Most of the farm was sold in the 1970s, leaving 28ha.

Mr Perry said they first thought of turning 2ha on the beachfront into a campground in the 1950s. It would take another 30 years to realise the dream.

Earlier this month it was announced Messrs Major and Gard'ner have their sights on another 6ha site at Tukurua Beach in Golden Bay, which includes a private beach and a campground.

Mr Major says he'd like to see it kept in Kiwi hands and would happily help an organisation or an individual to lead a crowd funding campaign. More good news.

Locally, it's refreshing in this climate to see a family sell prized real estate for reasons other than the folding stuff.

Full credit to Anne and Bill Perry. For Kiwis, such protection in perpetuity is an early Christmas present.