Island tribute to Blake gets $1m backing

By BERNARD ORSMAN

A $1 million conservation grant has been proposed to help buy Kaikoura Island as support crumbles for a glass-encased yacht tribute to Sir Peter Blake at the National Maritime Museum in Auckland.

The Nature Heritage Fund has recommended that $1 million go towards buying the 564ha island in the Hauraki Gulf, kick-starting a memorial which has the overwhelming support of New Zealanders.

It is now up to Conservation Minister Chris Carter to approve the recommendation by the panel of independent appointees who recommend land purchases from the annual $5 million to $7 million conservation land budget.

Mr Carter, who believes Sir Peter would have preferred the "living memorial" of Kaikoura Island, is expected to approve the grant, although Sports Minister Trevor Mallard favours the museum idea.

Geoff Davidson, a spokesman for the Forest Restoration Trust which is behind the campaign to buy Kaikoura, said the $1 million grant was just what was needed.

News of the grant came as Te Papa - which is behind the glass memorial - sought to patch up relations with the Blake family, and Auckland City Mayor John Banks attacked the Herald's coverage of the project and distanced himself from the scheme.

Mr Banks said the proposal was not a council project but a Te Papa project with support from Mr Mallard. The mayor has previously said the council would take the lead in a memorial to Sir Peter Blake.

Mr Banks said the Herald's use of the words "glass coffin" to describe the $10 million project were "thoughtless, heartless and deeply distressing to the Blake family".

Sir Peter's brother, Tony Blake, has withdrawn his support for the $10 million waterfront memorial, saying continued disparaging references to the "glass coffin" had tarnished the proposal.

Mr Banks said New Zealand could be left with a second-rate tribute if "low-level columnists" had free reign to make insulting and hurtful remarks.

Te Papa is having talks with the Blake family, including Tony Blake and Sir Peter's widow, Lady Pippa, to discuss concerns about the label and possible design changes.

Te Papa spokesman Paul Brewer said the Blake family's support was crucial and he indicated changes could be made to the design of the glass exhibition case over the sea housing the America's Cup-winning boat Black Magic (NZL32).

Last night a TV3/NFO Research poll found 69 per cent of those surveyed preferred the island as a memorial to Sir Peter. The waterfront plan got 17 per cent support.