$15m for final piece in parks 'masterpiece'

Auckland Regional Council chairman, Mike Lee. Photo / Steven McNicholl

The Auckland Regional Council has spent $15 million on its final land purchase to complete its "masterpiece" of parks, just four weeks before the authority ceases to exist.

The council made its biggest park purchase since 1973 in acquiring a 407ha block at Te Muri on the Mahurangi coast, 30 minutes north of Auckland.

Chairman Mike Lee said the regional council was keen to complete the purchase before the arrival of the new Auckland Council.

"Who knows what will happen with the Super City? While our warrant still runs, we considered it our duty to buy this 27th and last regional park before we march off the stage."

Mr Lee said the parks network had taken 47 years to complete and the Te Muri acquisition was "the finishing touch in a masterpiece".

Asked whether the purchase was appropriate given that the ARC was in its last weeks, Mr Lee said it had been planned since the 1970s.

"It is unusual, but we do live in unusual times ... we didn't know that the ARC would cease to exist. We've been in a race against time to save this land against development and this was the last one."

He said regional park acquisitions had once proved divisive within the council, but councillors voted unanimously to buy Te Muri.

The Auckland Transition Agency still had to approve the purchase, but the regional council was confident it would get the agency's go-ahead.

The chairwoman of the ARC parks and heritage committee, Sandra Coney, said it was a critical purchase to protect the landscape of the Puhoi River, Wenderholm Regional Park and the wider area.

She said the entire stretch of coast from Mahurangi to Waiwera was now protected in a natural state for all time.

Te Muri had nearly two kilometres of beach accessible only by wading through an estuary - this would now be more open to the public.

The park had native forest, including kauri and puriri, and had spaces which could be opened up for camping, mountain biking and horse-riding.

The land was bought from the family of Peter Schischka, who have farmed in the district since 1885.

BATTLE LOOMS OVER HOTEL

The removal of a height restriction for a five-star hotel to be built on the waterfront will be challenged by the Auckland Regional Council.

Developers Cooper and Company sought a plan change to allow them to build a hotel 55m high in the Britomart Heritage precinct.

The limit is currently 24m.

Independent commissioners have given the green light to a revision of the height limit.

ARC chairman Mike Lee said the regional council was appealing against the development, which was planned for the old Seafarers building site.

"This proposal would see a tall building go up slap-bang on the waterfront, blocking out everything behind and severely impacting the character of the lower, heritage buildings in the precinct around it that we have worked so hard to develop in recent years."

Mr Lee said the area had graduated buildings that started low and became taller further back from the waterfront.

"This is not by chance, it is by design."

The Historic Places Trust is also considering an appeal. Auckland City Council opposed the plan change.

The hotel will be in a block that includes the Union Fish, wharf police and Northern Steamship buildings.