Holidaymakers May Visit Farthest North

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1948, Page 7

Holidaymakers May Visit Farthest North

KAITAIA, Tue. (Sp.)—Strong objection to metropolitan Press announcements concerning Far North roading conditions have been expressed in Kaitaia and •Awanui. Apparently based on information from the Automobile Association the reports advised motorists intending to visit the Far North during the coming holiday season that tours should not go beyond “near Kaitaia.”

Reasons given were that the foads traversing Te Paki Station were closed to the public, that Cape Reinga lighthouse area and the Pandora radar station were prohibited and that prosecutions could result from unauthorised presence in these localities. The public is in fact excluded from Cape Reinga and the radar station. The lighthouse area is administered by the Marine Department and the radar station near Spirits Bay is controlled by the Ministry of Works. Permission is required from appropriate authorities before visitors may enter these areas in the Farthest North.

As stated in Saturday’s Advocate both the inland road to the Farthest North and the access from 90 Mile Beach via Te Paki stream traverse the Te Paki station property. These roads have not been legalised and are regarded as closed to the public. From a telephone inquiry yesterday it .was confirmed, however, that provided permission is first obtained from the owners, there is no objection to motorists using Te Paki roads. These routes give access to Te Reinga, Spirits Bay, and Te Hapua. There had been, the Advocate was informed, no decision by the owners to impose complete prohibition to the public, and no talk of prosecution. Considerable resentment has been caused among Awanui residents by the reports referred to. These are considered completely misleading, and action has been taken through the AA to secure publication of correct information.

Even in the face of the position in the Farthest North, the statements took no cognisance of other tourist attractions north of Kaitaia but well south of the Te Reinga and Te Paki areas. . . These include Waipapakauri and Houhora as well as the whole of 90Mile Beach.