Property purchase a regional asset

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is excited to have negotiated the purchase of the Onekawa Mata Farms Ltd property located above the Ōhiwa Harbour entrance. The property neighbours land already owned by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

The Onekawa Pā is located on this 6.5 hectare property and is considered one of the region’s most culturally significant sites. The neighbouring land already owned by the Council possesses the Te Mawhai Pā and the purchase of the new property will allow public access to both sites of significance.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chief Executive Bill Bayfield said the purchase of the Onekawa Mata Farms Ltd property presents a great asset for the people of the Bay of Plenty and the ability to create further recreation and open space opportunities for the Ōhiwa headland.

“One of the visions for the land is a loop track that crosses the properties we own through to the Ōpōtiki District Council Reserve to the west of the properties”

“The Onekawa and Te Mawhai Pā complex is one of unique richness and diversity with very high archaeological and cultural heritage values, particularly to Upokorehe and Whakatohea iwi,” said Mr Bayfield.

Ōpōtiki District Council Mayor John Forbes said the purchase was also great news for the people of the Ōpōtiki district.

“The natural environment is Ōpōtiki’s biggest asset and sharing this land will mean a place for people to enjoy for many years to come.”

“This is also good news for public recreation and ties in with our cycleway and walkways projects in the area,” said Mayor Forbes.

Whakatohea Trust Chairman Robert Edwards said he endorsed the Council’s purchase of the land as it would bring the parcel of land surrounding Onekawa together.

“We are recapturing land that was previously lost and now we will have something for our future generations,” said Mr Edwards.

Ohiwa Harbour Ratepayers and Residents’ Association spokesperson Malcolm Ballard said they are delighted at this outcome which sees such an important site being enshrined into a regional park for the enjoyment of future generations.

“It will be a huge asset to the region both from the historical perspective and for the panoramic views which encompass White Island, Whale Island and the Ohope Spit,” said Mr Ballard.

Former owner of the property Pauline Tuck said she is pleased that Onekawa, a very special iconic piece of land, will become a shared place for all people and future generations to enjoy.

“I’m excited about the opportunities that exist now for a regional park,” said Mrs Tuck.

The property will be managed as part of the existing management of the neighbouring Council owned Bryans Road property and a joint operational management plan for the properties will be in place by November 2010.

The operational management plan will outline the asset management requirements for the property including the pest animal and pest plant control, farm and archaeological site management and revegetation programmes.

Public access, community engagement and the long-term community vision for the property will also be addressed in the development stages of the operational management plan for the properties.

An official blessing of the land will be held at a later date.

ENDS

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