Kennedy Point Boatharbour Limited (KPBL), and SKP Incorporated (SKP) have reached an out of court settlement marking the end of four years of court battles over Waiheke’s Kennedy Point Marina.

SKP Incorporated, Chief Executive, Sebastian Cassie said; “SKP acknowledges that the marina consent has been approved and tested through every court. SKP has also agreed to withdraw its judicial review and interim orders application on the basis of undertakings given by KPBL regarding revising its kororā plans to ensure better monitoring and protection for the kororā. Having secured positive outcomes for the environment and the community, SKP has agreed not to take further legal action to oppose the marina. The settlement requires KPBL to ensure kororā at Kennedy Point Bay are protected through a revised kororā plan, which is required to be prepared with input from an expert appointed by SKP, before being independently considered for approval by the Council.”

Kennedy Point Boatharbour Limited, Managing Director, Tony Mair said of the settlement; “It is good to be able to put this litigation behind us so that we can focus on building a marina that we believe all New Zealanders will be proud of. We remain committed not just to protecting the kororā and other wildlife at Kennedy Point but to giving back to the greater community of Waiheke and mana whenua.”

SKP had most recently lodged an application for a judicial review along with interim orders with the High Court against DOC and Auckland Council, of which KPBL was a party. This related to the developer’s Council approved penguin monitoring and management plan. The settlement means that SKP and the other applicants have withdrawn all of their Court proceedings, and that on-site construction work, which is currently paused, can recommence in the near future.

KPBL has undertaken not to carry out any work on the breakwater wall above mean sea level until their revised Little Blue Penguin Monitoring & Construction Management Plan prepared by New Zealand penguin expert, Dr Bull, has been approved. KPBL has also agreed to involve a SKP appointed ecologist to review the plan and consider any feedback provided by SKP’s ecologist.

The revised draft plan is currently being reviewed by mana whenua, DOC and Council, and is expected to be finalised in the near future.

Dr Bull will be onsite during any work on the rocks within the breakwater wall. This includes work on rocks below mean sea level which will be undertaken within the next few weeks.

As part of the settlement, KPBL have agreed to forgo all recent costs orders made against SKP for pre-existing Court action and to not seek any further costs orders against SKP.

The marina company has agreed that all court costs paid to it by SKP to date will be pledged towards the foundation grant for the Kennedy Point Marina Maritime Trust.

The setting up of this charitable trust was put forward by KPBL as part of the marina’s consent application in 2016. It was due to be launched at the end of 2022 when the Marina begins operation but is now expected to be launched by August 2021. The Marina will contribute annually to the Trust.

The stated purpose of the Trust is to further maritime education for residents and mana whenua of Waiheke Island. As a result of the settlement, the purpose will now be expanded to include flora and fauna conservation works associated with Waiheke’s marine environment.

Full details around the grants available, eligibility and the application process will be announced when the Kennedy Point Marina Maritime Trust is officially launched.

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