More land for Wenderholm Regional Park

Wenderholm Regional Park is set to grow by more than 30 hectares following a decision by the Auckland Regional Council to purchase an adjacent block of land.

A special meeting of the ARC today approved the purchase from the Schischka family.

“Wenderholm is Auckland’s oldest and one of its most beautiful regional parks and this land will enhance it even further,” ARC Parks and Recreation Committee Chairman Bill Burrill says.

“This council has had an excellent relationship with the Schischka family for many years and Alma Schischka has expressed a desire for this land to become part of the regional park. I am delighted that this deal makes that a reality.”

The newly acquired land forms a continuation of the flat land and salt marshes that adjoin Wenderholm Regional Park along the Puhoi River. It includes a small sandy beach and will provide alternative water access, especially for kayakers.

Cr Burrill says Wenderholm is one the most popular regional parks attracting between 250,000 and 300,000 visitors per year.

“The majority of the new land is flat and grassed which will allow us to cater for increasing numbers of picnickers, campers and events on the park as well as providing more land for unstructured recreation,” he says.

The land also adds to the ecological value of the park. The Puhoi estuary, which borders the property, contains valuable mangrove forests and a diverse population of birds including the threatened banded rail.

The property contains a remnant of taraire forest with kanuka, nikau, rewarewa, kowhai, mahoe, kohekohe and totara also present. As part of the Puhoi-Waiwera-Mahurangi area the land has a rich Maori and European history and includes three recorded archaeological sites.

The ARC is scheduled to take possession of the land on November 22.

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