October 15, 2012
Te Uri o Hau negotiates golf course for Te Arai
Northland hapu Te Uri o Hau’s long-running struggle to develop a pine forest it bought as part of its treaty settlement may soon be over.
It’s selling a third of its land at Te Arai, South of Mangawhai to Los Angeles financier and golf enthusiast Ric Kayne and his wife Suzanne, who want to develop a world-class golf course.
Hapu Chief Executive Deborah Harding says part of the deal involves the establishment of a conservation trust.
Development of the 616 hectare forest has been delayed for a decade by challenges over the nesting population of rare fairy terns and dotterels on the adjoining beach.
The 230 hectare links course will be designed by Tom Doak, who also designed the spectacular Cape Kidnappers course in Hawkes Bay, which is rated among the world’s top 100 courses.
The project is expected to support over 30 jobs, including employment for members of Te Uri o Hau.
The Environment Court has confirmed the hapu can build on 45 one to two hectare residential lots in the remaining 390 hectares of forest, and there is also a possibility some land could be swapped for a conservation reserve.