Dr Bill Ballantine’s legacy home for sale

January 22, 2017
Media statement

Unique property: Dr Bill Ballantine’s legacy home for sale

The Goat Island home of Dr Bill Ballantine, New Zealand’s founding father of marine conservation who successfully established “no take” marine reserves in the area, is for sale by Barfoot & Thompson.

Before his passing in 2015, Dr Ballantine spent over 50 years living in the home, during which time he fought for legislative change that allowed the first-ever marine reserve – Cape Rodney-Okakari Point (known to most as Goat Island) – to be established in 1977. It currently remains one of the world’s few “no take” reserves.

The reserve (which is a mere five km2) was intended for scientific purposes and it was thought no one would be interested in it as a recreational destination. Establishing the reserve had the opposite effect. The stunning and abundant array of colourful sea life (such as blue maomao and snapper) now attracts an estimated 375,000 visitors each year and 6,000 people per day in the peak summer season.

Dr Ballantine’s children have decided that now is the right time to part with the property.

“We have amazing memories of growing up in the house and are incredibly proud of what our father achieved from within its four walls. Leigh is a magical place and in part we have our father to thank for this,” says Dr Ballantine’s daughter Mary, who lives locally in Leigh with her family.

The property is on Goat Island Road which leads to the reserve and the University of Auckland's Leigh Marine Laboratory, where Dr Ballantine was the first and longest running inaugural director. He was internationally recognised as the recipient of the Goldman Prize in 1996 – often referred to as the Nobel Prize of Environmentalism.

In 1964 when Dr Ballantine arrived, a simple hut existed on the land. The two bedroom lockwood was extended to a four bedroom family home with a garage. Renovations were completed by Dr and Mrs Ballantine, along with friends. The home was a ‘hub’ of activity for bright minds, having hosted academics, travellers, nature photographers and government officials.

A quote from Dr Ballantine that appeared in Local Matters is quite fitting for the modest house.

“Material things have never been important to me and if I really want to feel like a decadent millionaire, then all I have to do is allow myself two fried eggs for breakfast.”

Surrounding the house is 13,691m2 of native bush which is protected by its classification under the Proposed Auckland Unitary plan Outstanding Natural Landscapes Overlay.

Ian Thornhill Barfoot & Thompson says, “This is a property of surreal natural beauty with important local and national history.

“Its previous owner was a staunch believer in the value of preserving all nature has to offer for generations to come.”

Further listing information: https://www.barfoot.co.nz/586376

Ends

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