Browns Island - A Priceless New Regional Park
Friends of Regional Parks welcomes announcement of new Regional Park
Auckland’s Friends of Regional Parks (FOR Parks), welcomes news that Browns Island Motukorea, has become Auckland
Council’s newest Regional Park and its first island park.
President Bronwen Turner says: “Browns Island Regional Park adds to the region’s chain of priceless Regional Parks along
the coast and in the Hauraki Gulf.
“We applaud the energy and persistence of Auckland Council to guarantee public access and enjoyment of this remarkable
asset into the future.”
The new Regional Park opens up a myriad of recreational opportunities for nature and heritage lovers, the boating
fraternity, day walkers and campers. The new park also offers opportunities for volunteers to work with Council to
restore the ecology of this centrally located island, ravaged by a recent scrub and grass fire.
Browns Island Regional Park is a significant step by Auckland Council in expanding the provision of Regional Parks to
accommodate the city’s rapid population growth.
Research affirms this need, showing that 75% of Aucklanders’ recreation is informal such as biking, walking and enjoying
beaches, with only 25% involved in organised sport. FOR Parks believes that Council must realign its park planning and
spending to accommodate recreation preferences of the majority of Aucklanders, including greater spending on Regional
Parks.
In the face of intensive housing development, FOR Parks calls for urgent action by Auckland Council to fund acquisition
and development of new Regional Parks both to the north and south of Auckland. Among the opportunities are Crater Hill,
the Okura Estuary and properties along the route of the Te Araroa walking trail. Principles to guide Auckland’s park
development and a 50 year strategy were presented to Council by FOR Parks in 2016.
Background:
Brown’s Island Motukorea was sold by Ngati Tamatera in 1840 to settlers, John Logan Campbell and William Brown. Since
then the island has had a succession of owners, culminating in the purchase in 1955 by former mayor and brewing magnate
Sir Ernest Davis. Davis gifted the island to the Mayor, Councillors and people of Auckland in 1955.
Since 1955, the island has been managed for the city variously by the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park Board and the
Department of Conservation, but from 2 February 2018, Auckland Council will resume management. A group of volunteers is
being formed to assist in ecological restoration of the island.
The Friends of Regional Parks (FOR Parks) advocates for the provision of Regional Parks in the Auckland Region with
support from groups including Forest and Bird and Federated Mountain Clubs.
ENDS