Walled garden idea in 'open space' angers councillor

An Auckland City councillor is outraged that land bought by the council to expand "open space" in Monte Cecilia Park could be turned into a "walled Chinese garden".

A member of the Auckland Chinese Garden Steering Committee yesterday confirmed that the council had offered part of the park for use as a Chinese garden but said it was only one of several options being considered.

Councillor Cathy Casey said land being offered to the Chinese group was from part of a 1.6936ha site bought by the council in February last year for $6.4 million to extend the park's open space, meant for passive recreation and events.

"When I looked up the decision to buy it, there was no question this was for open space ... there's never been any question of it being used for any other purpose," Ms Casey said.

"The walled Chinese garden will fly in the face of that.

When we acquire land for open space, it has to be for open space. I'm kind of outraged."

Ms Casey said it would be great for Auckland to have a Chinese garden - "but not here".

The council has been acquiring land, including from the Catholic Church, for Monte Cecilia Park since 2000.

Steering committee co-chairman Kai Luey accused Ms Casey of being a "stirrer".

Mr Luey said his group had only just been offered the Monte Cecilia site by Auckland Mayor John Banks for consideration and that it was still at an "investigative stage".

"There have been no plans drawn up that I am aware of and definitely no walled garden. If we go there, you can be sure we will be using only natural shrubs and trees," Mr Luey said.

"We are grateful for any support from Auckland City Council ... but we are only just at an investigative stage and nothing is firm."

Other sites for the garden that had been proposed include the duck pond in the Auckland Domain, Western Springs and the headland park at the Tank Farm.

Auckland's Chinese garden is expected to cost $8 million and is envisaged as being on a similar scale to the Dunedin Chinese Garden, which opened last year to commemorate the contribution of Chinese people to the city since the gold rush in the 1860s.