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Television personality Marc Ellis has apologised for a publicity stunt in November which sent plumes of smoke from the summit of Rangitoto.
Concerned people thinking they were witnessing a volcanic eruption called police and the Fire Service reporting smoke near the summit of the Hauraki Gulf island, at the same time as a plane with a banner advertising Ellis' new company flew over.
Ellis today admitted the stunt was irresponsible and breached environmental protection laws.
The stunt, which involved igniting a series of smoke flares, was undertaken without a permit from the Department of Conservation (DOC).
"I make an unqualified apology to DOC and to the public for proceeding to ignite these flares without a permit to do so and for causing any unnecessary alarm to all those persons who saw my activities as placing the special and valuable Rangitoto ecology and environment at risk," Ellis said.
As well as apologising Ellis paid the $2000 it cost to fix damage to the island and donated $10,000 to the Motutapu Restoration Trust.
Ellis said "extensive" preparations were undertaken before the stunt to ensure the safety of those involved and the public.
"While the likelihood of a fire being started as a result of the flares was low, we took careful and extensive precautions to ensure that there was no real risk of any accidental fire."
The smoke flares were well away from any plants or foliage and trained people were onsite, Ellis said.
"We fully recognise the iconic status of Rangitoto to Aucklanders and well appreciate its ecological and amenity value which we did not wish to damage or interfere with in any way . I commend the efforts and actions of DOC and the trust in relation to the Rangitoto/Motutapu environment."
DOC's Auckland conservator Sean Goddard said the stunt caused concern and disappointment for DOC and members of the public.
"Rangitoto is not only nationally, but also internationally significant, and it is an extremely fragile environment. A fire on the island could have had a devastating impact on the island's unique vegetation and would have undermined the restoration effort that is currently underway.
"The department took this incident seriously and carried out a full investigation, which included seeking an explanation from Mr Ellis and the others involved. After hearing DOC's concerns, Mr Ellis offered to make a public apology ."
Mr Goddard said he was pleased Ellis had taken DOC's concerns seriously.
Open fires are not permitted on conservation islands in the Hauraki Gulf, comprising Rangitoto, Motutapu, Motuihe, Motuora, Tiritiri Matangi, Moturekareka, Kaikoura, Rakitu, parts of Great Barrier and Burgess Islands, Hauturu (Little Barrier) and the Mokohinaus.
- NZPA
