Brian Rudman: Sallies' island jewel the perfect seasonal gift

With summer fast approaching and thoughts turning to sun and sand and presents, what a great time to buy ourselves another island in the gulf.

It so happens I've found just the thing, nestling to the east of Waiheke and surplus to the present owner's needs.

No, not 24ha Pakatoa, the tired old holiday resort with its gold-plated $35 million price tag, but its neighbouring 82ha big brother, Rotoroa, which is about to close up shop as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation retreat.

The Salvation Army, which has run the facility since it opened on Christmas Eve 1910, is convinced it can provide a better service on the mainland and will farewell its last island clients towards the end of next month. What they do with the island after that has been on the Sallies' back-burner as they concentrate on moving the services on-shore.

But Major Alistair Herring, who is masterminding the changeover, says they'll now be sitting down "with a blank page" to discuss the island's future.

One obstacle will be the existing Auckland City zoning, which limits usage solely to running a Salvation Army treatment and rehabilitation centre for addicts. As a result, access to Rotoroa by the general public is banned under the Trespass Act in order to protect the privacy, security and, no doubt, the sobriety of those under treatment.

Until these restrictions are changed, any use of the island in the immediate future, other than treating addicts, will be problematic.

After that, leasing is one option, so is sale. But, Major Herring insists, "I have to say at this point in time, our preference is not for sale - but we'd be unwise not to carefully investigate all these options".

He also points to the conservation efforts the army has put into the island in recent times, saying, "It is such a gift of creation, if you like, it's one of God's pearls of creation from our point of view and we've always wanted to work quite hard on that aspect of things ... "

But can the Sallies be expected to preserve this pearl single-handedly?

The reality is that God's work is never done, and when it involves the sort of ambulance-work the Sallies are involved in, it's not cheap either.

So it's probably wishful thinking - and unfair - to expect the present owners to gift their island, precious as it is, to the community as a new park. Which brings me back to square one.

There's a vacant island out in the gulf, surplus to its present owner's requirements and looking for a new role. What's it worth? Well with its present restrictive zoning, nothing.

That protection from the silver-tongued and avaricious property developer will not, I fear, last long.

But it does provide a little breathing space for Auckland City, the regional council and the Department of Conservation to get together with the Sallies and come up with a pearl-saving solution that makes everyone happy.

If the Sallies are looking for new facilities and funds for their mainland-based operations, perhaps a deal involving kind as well as cash could be engineered. And possibly payments could be made over time.

Before the politicians wilt at the thought of the $35 million price-tag on smaller Pakatoa next door, it's worth noting that real estate agent Sherryn El Bakary tells me that's the vendor's "asking price", and does include the tired but substantial resort facilities, including 62 units and associated staff quarters.

Back in July, Mayor Dick Hubbard issued a press release announcing, "Council plans to buy island jewel for $12.5 million".

He was referring to 8.7 ha at Matiatia which he claimed was "a vital strategic asset" for Waiheke Island as the main entry point to that island.

Now Aucklanders have the chance to add a much bigger pearl to that jewel case.

Luckily, given its current function, I've never visited, but those who have say that with its beaches and regenerating bush and open spaces, it would make an ideal park within easy cruising of the mainland.

Buying it would also be to flesh out the hyperbole of the city's Hauraki Gulf islands strategic plan, which shouts from its cover: "Caring for one of Auckland's greatest treasures". Inside we're told: "Auckland City's aim is that the Hauraki Gulf islands are protected, understood and enjoyed for ever."

Can you think of a better way to honour that commitment?