U.S. Land Purchases In New Zealand

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31772, 31 August 1968, Page 20

U.S. Land Purchases In New Zealand

American interests which have bought land extensively in the North and South Islands may be legally entitled to prevent New Zealanders using the coastline foreshores of the properties, or to prosecute them for trespassing if they land at high water.

A search of records at the Lands and Deeds office in Nelson shows that titles to land on the Tasman Bay coast which were sold recently to Americans take in the onechain reserve from mean high water mark.

Strictly speaking this means that at high water noone could land on the beaches without trespassing. At other stages of the tide there would be no trespass unless the picnic party

went above high-water mark. The parcels of land in Tasman Bay which are reported to have been sold to Americans are enclaves within the boundaries of the Abel Tasman National Park, and the park board said it was unable to match the American offer. The land in Golden Bay is outside the board’s area. The records show that Tonga Island, in Tasman Bay, which was included in a recent sale, is entirely private property, and it would be illegal to land at any point on the island above highwater mark. The same legal position is

understood to pertain in several larger islands in the Bay <rf Islands, which have become American property during the last two years. The vendor of the land in Golden Bay was Mr Bernard Clive Thomas, a farmer, of Onekaka, who sold 150 acres fronting a likely site for a deep water wharf. Miss Ralphine Zealandia Regina Richardson, of Nelson, sold 1200 acres in Tasman Bay as well as Tonga Island, to the Robert H. Hunter syndicate of Seattle. It is understood that part of this land is being offered back to

the Abel Tasman National Park Board. Tonga Island, close to the mainland, covers 19 acres and is bounded on all sides by high water mark. In most places it would be difficult to effect a landing on the island because of its rugged coastline. There is no safe anchorage. Steep Country The mainland is steep country, which is mostly poor, waterless, and covered by stunted scrub and patches of bush. There are some fine beaches. There is no road access to Tonga. Beyond the promontory of Abel Head, the northern point of Tonga, is Awaroa, part of which was included in the sale to Americans. Awaroa is a big tidal inlet, more attractive at high water than low. There are considerable areas of flat land, some of it formerly farmed but now mostly scrubcovered. There are several week-end cottages at Awaroa and there is a private airstrip. There Is a road to Awaroa from Totaranui, which is reached from Takaka. However, the road ends on the

north-west side of the Inlet and it is not possible to cross without a boat.

The Anchorage block In Torrent Bay, Which is reported to be under offer to the Abel Tasman National Park Board, contains some 33 acres. There is a steeplyshelving golden beach, facing the prevailing summer sea breezes. Immediately behind the beach is a swamp, which runs back to barren clay hills and granite outcrops. It is unlikely that anyone apart from the park board would be interested in it. There is a walking track from Marahau to Torrent Bay, but no road. A third piece of land —900 acres on the West Coast of the South Island at Paturau, just south of West Wanganui inlet-makes up all the known sales to foreign interests in the South Island.

Since June, 1966, Americans have bought 10 properties in New Zealand, including five complete offshore islands and part of a sixth. In March, 1966, two American businessmen paid $50,000 for the 1000-acre Cavalli Islands, north of the Bay of Islands.

In April, 1967, Mr William Reynolds bought the 115-acre Waewaetorea Island in the Bay of Islands. In December, 1967, another American syndicate headed by an expatriate New Zealander, Dr R. J. Bollard, bought the 400-acre Moturoa Island in the Bay of Islands. Farm Bought

In January, 1968, a San Francisco shipyard owner bought a farm on Walpiro Bay in the Bay of Islands. Four months later the same man bought the 12-acre Motukauri Island in the Whangaruru Harbour. American interests first invested heavily in New Zealand land when they bought 2000 acres of farming land near Taupo for $25,000. Later they paid $340,00 for Poronui station, on the NapierTaupo highway. Last year British interests took over the lease of Walter Peak station on Lake Wakatipu. The map shows the locations of islands and mainland properties which have been sold to American interests during the last two years.