Resort critics fight on

By ANNE BESTON

An environmental group is challenging the Far North District Council's approval without public consultation of a huge tourism development on the remote Karikari Peninsula, east of Kaitaia.

The Environmental Protection Society, a lobby group that blocked plans for development of the site in the 1980s, filed proceedings in the High Court yesterday.

The group wants a review of the granting of land-use consents to developer Carrington Farms for a 384-condominium country club, a 150-room hotel, 20 units of travellers' accommodation, a vineyard and a winery on the 1150ha Whatuwhiwhi property.

The council is named first defendant in the action and Carrington Farms second defendant.

Gary Taylor, the society's executive director, said the non-notified consents meant no public consultation on the project.

Local iwi Ngati Kahu had joined the society in taking court action. Mr Taylor would not comment on what the case might cost. "We have taken professional advice, which is that we have a good case, otherwise we would not be bringing the proceedings."

Northland conservancy planner Andrew Riddell said the Department of Conservation found it hard to understand why non-notified consents had been granted.

The department learned of the multimillion-dollar scheme through an item on a council agenda.

Bob Haig, a US partner in Carrington Farms, could not be reached for comment.