New Chums Beach Than You Might Think

+ Environment

Wealthy property developers with grand plans for a pristine piece of coast; rowdy opponents hell-bent on stopping them. We’ve been here before, right? Actually, there’s more to the proposed residential development at Coromandel’s New Chums beach than you might think. Stacey Anyan reports. Showdown at New Chums

stacey anyan is a north & South staff writer. photography by simon young and adrian Malloch.

7 6 | NORTH & SOUTH | JANUARY 2 0 1 1 simon young

typical television clip their horror at the thought of “a Queens- on the fracas over the town property developer” coming anywhere proposed development near this Pacific paradise with blueprints of residential house lots and bulldozers. near New Chums beach New Zealanders, never far from some might begin with a lin- point of our plentiful coastline, have an af- gering pan around the finity with the beach arguably like no other Acrescent moon-shaped bay, a view unchanged nation on Earth. Many of our happy memo- since Captain Cook visited the Coromandel ries and holiday plans centre on the delights Peninsula. of pottering in, on or beside the sea – and Perhaps there’d be a close-up of crystal wa- New Chums’ relative proximity to our big- ters gently lapping the shoreline, or fizzing gest city means the proposition of it “being foam if the bay is swollen with surf breaks. developed” rankles with many. A newspaper feature might wax lyrical In August, around 1000 submissions to about the sentinel pohutukawa atop the the Thames Coromandel District Council escarpment that dominates half of New (TCDC) opposed the application filed by Above left: Volcanic Motu Tou Pt Chums, or maybe the lone dotterel flitting Coastal Land Trust Holdings Ltd to create forms the southern tip of New Chums, separating the beach from along the white sand, feigning injury to 20 residential lots, ranging from 1520 sq m neighbouring Whangapoua. As well as generating ongoing media inter- Land Trust Holdings, owns part of the efforts of Coastal Land Trust Holdings to ward strangers away from its nest. to 23,043 sq m, dotted around the hinterland est in the development since the application land covered by the application, is taken ensure the proposed residential develop- Mention is usually made of the requisite of New Chums and Whangapoua. Above: New Chums day trippers make was lodged, Preserve New Chum has also aback by the vehement opposition to the ment “doesn’t detract from the natural char- their way back over the rocky outcrop 20-minute journey by foot at low tide from Only a handful of submissions were in to the northern end of Whangapoua. engaged an internationally recognised Kiwi development. acter of the area”. the neighbouring settlement of Whanga- favour of the application, which also sought celebrity – The Amazing Race presenter Phil That’s because Darby, also acting on be- The Environmental Defence Society poua: a rock scramble followed by a bush approval for a covenant-protected lot of Keoghan – to front an awareness-raising half of the other two family trusts that own (EDS), a not-for-profit advocacy organisa- trek that meanders through a nikau grove 337ha (nearly all of it to be revegetated or event in early January at which supporters the land, has worked on the proposal for tion, has also worked closely with Darby before depositing visitors at the southern left to regenerate into native bush), the crea- will spell out a message of protest on nearby several years in consultation with local and his associates on the New Chums plan, end of the stunning beach. tion of an esplanade reserve giving public Matarangi beach. groups, including the district council, the which society chairman Gary Taylor de- Much is also made of New Chums’ “world- access along New Chums beach and the In short, a wealthy property developer Whangapoua Beach Ratepayers Association, scribes as “a lot better than previous renowned” status, having been lauded by protection of a historic pa site. with grand plans for a pristine piece of coast the Environment Waikato regional council proposals”. global publications such as Lonely Planet and More than 6400 Facebook users signalled versus rowdy opponents determined to and local iwi. You may also be surprised at Darby’s as- National Geographic and the UK’s Observer their support for Preserve New Chum for protect the beach. Nothing new here, right? At the time the application was made, in sertion that the land was never bought to newspaper. The word “iconic” is bandied Everyone, a society lobbying the govern- Well, you may be surprised to learn that August 2009, the district council and Envi- develop for a profit. “We acquired the land about. ment to “preserve this iconic beach from John Darby, the “Queenstown property ronment Waikato took the unusual step of to save the beach.” A vox pop with beachgoers will reveal the threat of development”. developer” whose family trust, Coastal issuing a joint press release praising the He claims the families involved always

7 8 | NORTH & SOUTH | JANUARY 2 0 1 1 NORTH & SOUTH | JANUARY 2 0 1 1 | 7 9 h c intended to forgo the house lots proposed llo a

n m in the New Chums catchment and put the a dri e number: WA-57161. a

291ha into public ownership. This would c include a walking track which loops around eferen R ry,

a significant kauri stand. a ibr In the Whangapoua catchment, where an L established settlement already exists, they urnbull would retain their right to use up to 10 T nder house lots – five of which already have a

council consent gained by a previous tion, Alex c landowner. tion Colle

Darby says the reason the families applied a for 20 house lots was to determine the value

of their respective parcels of land in order Whites Avi to arrive at a fair split when they put the land into public ownership. However, weary of the “endless debate” played out in the media and on Facebook, they put their resource management application on hold in October to focus on their real plan, which Darby and Taylor have been working on for the past three years. Darby says he hopes to create a new model for coastal property development designed to benefit landowners and the general public while also providing funding for land maintenance. He believes current trust options are inadequate in terms of ensuring financial sustainability for land use. In November, a formal proposal was made Aerial view of Whangapoua Harbour, Coromandel, 1962. New Chums is in the foreground and the Whangapoua settlement to the government that it match the families’ is nestled behind it. Matarangi beach, now extensively developed, is past the river mouth in the distance. multimillion-dollar investment in order to put the land into public ownership through a unique private-public partnership. ew Chums owes its ment and council consent – they’re fairly Darby has not publicly revealed these peculiar nomencla- The men who robust things to go through”. plans until now. In fact, he does so reluc- ture to a bunch of Ja- travelled from In 1999, Denize and his siblings sold 540ha tantly – and only after Labour leader Phil fas. The men who surrounding New Chums to Auckland busi- Goff confirms toNorth & South that he has travelled from Auck- Auckland to nessman Clive Currie, while retaining own- been made aware of the New Chums pri- land to work the kauri work the kauri ership of smaller lots for their existing vate-public partnership plan. (Goff made a log booms in Wainui- log booms in homes. Currie applied for a residential sub- personal submission against the 20 house- Nototo Bay were dubbed “new chums”, and division on a ridge overlooking New Chums lot development to the council and met with subsequently so was the bay. Wainuiototo Bay and another on land overlooking the north- Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson, Once the last bastion for local iwi Ngati were dubbed ern end of Whangapoua. along with Green MP Catherine Delahunty Huarere, the land at the centre of the cur- The ridge application was rejected but Above: John Darby, the “Queenstown property developer” whose family trust, and Preserve New Chum representatives, to rent controversy has been farmed for more “new chums”, the council was legally required to grant Coastal Land Trust Holdings, owns part of the land covered by the application, implore the government to buy the beach.) than 100 years. and subsequently Currie consent for five house lots at is surprised by the vehement opposition to the development. Darby says he doesn’t want news of the The Denize family bought land around Whangapoua, despite opposition from the bid to be interpreted as his putting pres- the New Chums catchment and the north- so was the bay. ratepayers association and the EDS. sure on the government or attempting to ern end of Whangapoua in 1944. Rob Denize Former district mayor Philippa Barriball get the weight of public opinion on his side, took over the sheep and beef farm when his says it was clear Currie intended for the five lest this jeopardise the integrity of the father retired but in recent years, the in- house lots to be the first stage of a very in- proposal. creasing value of the coastal property made tensive subdivision. All of this begs the question: why didn’t farming the land less economically viable. “That was my first understanding that Darby simply avoid all the hassle and flak, Denize says it would have been too com- this property could be subdivided by using the accusations of being a greedy property plex to divvy up the land among his children multiple applications. He could have cre- developer, and declare his intentions right and his siblings’ children. He wasn’t worried ated around 50 lots.” from the get-go? about the prospect of a property developer The EDS’s Gary Taylor says what Currie To understand that, a little history may buying it “because they would have to go was contemplating “was deeply worrying be in order. through the process of resource manage- – the scale and changing nature of what was

NORTH & SOUTH | JANUARY 2 0 1 1 | 8 1 proposed. We were worried about the says, because the consent requires landown- development being undercapitalised and “Ultimately, it’s ers to create an esplanade reserve. simon young [therefore] cheap and nasty.” private land. She makes it clear that she understands Currie’s plans – whatever they were – I know people opposition to the 20-lot submission. never came to fruition. He was successfully “People have an emotional connection to prosecuted by Environment Waikato for don’t like to hear New Chums. But – and I say this with the illegal earthworks on the land. (Barriball: it, but New Chums greatest respect – some people look at it “He made a shocking mess of that beautiful from a naive position: that the landowners bush – carved right through it.”) beach is privately should just give the land to us because In 2005, Currie sold land to Darby and owned. Nobody they’re rich and rich people are bad and his business associate and friend George has ever had a they don’t deserve to have it.” Kerr, a Christchurch-born fund manager who splits his time between Queenstown right to go on it.” reserve New Chum and Sydney. (Kerr’s most recent foray into for Everyone founders New Zealand investments was a $100 Former district mayor Philippa Barriball Linda Cholmondeley million loan to struggling South Canterbury Smith and Peter John- Finance through his company Torchlight, ston are not “against the which was first in line to be repaid in the developer”. government’s $1.77 billion bailout.) Darby’s developments By purchasing more land from other small are “beautiful”, says block owners nearby, Darby, Kerr and a PJohnston. “There’s no question about it, third family consolidated a property of just he’s a good developer.” over 360ha. But there shouldn’t be a development at Barriball says the ratepayers association New Chums, they say. implored the Conservation Minister at the house (originally granted to Clive Currie). The peripheral impact of the proposed time, Chris Carter, to buy the property, which “I was overwhelmed,” says Barriball. “There development is one of their key concerns. a Lands & Survey report back in 1968 had was no legal reason for him to do that. It “There would be around 200 extra people recommended for Crown acquisition. (Media was a gesture of faith.” on the beach plus their jet skis, boats and have incorrectly reported the government She rejects accusations the council col- other toys,” says Cholmondeley Smith. simon young could have bought the land cheaply in the luded with the developers for financial gain. “The impact on flora, fauna and avifauna… Preserve New Chum for Everyone founders Linda Cholmondeley Smith and Peter Johnston are not “against the developer”. 1980s; Denize says this was never the case.) “Just because it’s subdivided doesn’t mean the noise from construction, lawnmowers, Problem was, says Barriball, the district we get more rates; all it does is divide rates helicopters and whatever else people bring council had only just convinced the govern- over the properties.” with them.” ment to purchase Waikawau Bay, a substan- She says the current plans for New Chums Cholmondeley Smith and Johnston are significance, says Johnston, who assessed Preserve New Chum’s primary focus has tial coastal property north of New Chums are the “best possible outcome” given that old chums; their relatives fought together it with an archaeologist in 1998. been lobbying the government to buy the Linda that was put into Department of Conserva- the government failed to acquire the land. in World War II. Both have fond childhood “We found so much stuff: evidence of taro land. “Kiwis are too blasé – the ‘she’ll be Cholmondeley tion ownership. “We got the response, “There’s always going to be tension be- memories of New Chums. Cholmondeley gardens, pa sites, burial sites, gardening right’ attitude has to change. We’ve only got ‘You’ve got Waikawau – end of story.’” tween someone’s private property rights Smith’s family expeditions involved cutting areas, a fishing hole…” one New Zealand,” says Johnston. Smith: “I could Barriball approached Environment and what they’d like to do on their land – sandwiches, filling the Thermos, timing the In 2008, Darby and Kerr’s representative The controversy over New Chums has just about hear my Waikato, but its financial focus at the time and when you’re trying to get something tide and winding up car windows on the outlined their proposal to Johnston. brought to the fore the lack of protection for was on the Maungatautari restoration for the public good at no cost. dirt roads. Johnston’s family visited from “At that stage they were talking about the our coastal land, adds Cholmondeley Smith. parents’ voices: project near Cambridge. “Ultimately, it’s private land. I know peo- Auckland via an overnight steamship that five lots that Currie had gained consent for, Gary Taylor of the Environmental Defence ‘You’ve got to do New Chums re-appeared on Barriball’s ple don’t like to hear it, but New Chums used to service the Coromandel. plus three more. I was sort of happy to Society agrees. “Under existing policy, settings something about radar in 2006, when the council was legally beach is privately owned. Nobody has ever Cholmondeley Smith’s grandparents were countenance that, knowing those eight lots governing coastal development – the national required to grant consent to George Kerr’s had a right to go on it.” Scottish pioneers who bought 400ha around were centred on the Whangapoua side and policy statement, the regional plan, the district this; preserve family trust for a “substantial house right The beach is in private ownership from New Chums, selling most of it in 1929 due were nothing to do with Wainuiototo [New plan – are very weak. They don’t protect it now or it’s down on the beach”. Concerned, Barriball the high-tide mark – so technically anyone to ill health. In 1997, Cholmondeley Smith’s Chums].” coastal environments in the way the Resource made a bold move: she contacted Kerr direct walking on the sand above that mark is tres- father and his siblings put the remaining Johnston says he did voice disagreement Management Act requires them to.” gone forever.’” and offered him and Darby the use of TCDC passing. (The popular belief of a “Queen’s 1.8ha into a QEII National Trust covenant, with two particular sites which he felt had (As the issue of New Chums has played and Environment Waikato planners and Chain” protecting public access alongside safeguarding the regenerating bush and cultural significance. “A lot of Maori sites out in the media, the EDS has called for an architects to work on “a compromise”. all lakes, rivers and seas is mistaken; no such public access to New Chums. The covenant aren’t deemed to be ‘archaeological’ because independent coastal commission similar “If they came in with a hiss and a roar and legal device exists.) covers the southern tip of the beach out to there’s no physical evidence.” to one in California. At present, each local some big fandangled plan, the public would “The Denizes allowed people on there but volcanic Motu Tou Pt, which separates New Last August, Cholmondeley Smith and council has its own set of rules on coastal be up in arms… Kerr needed to understand basically we have sanctioned trespass – eve- Chums from Whangapoua. Johnston – who live in nearby Whitianga development. In October, the society gave there is some sensitivity around this land. ryone who’s been there has effectively bro- Clive Currie contacted Johnston, a rep- – called a meeting at the town hall to rally a “cautious welcome” to the Conservation I told him, ‘We know you have private prop- ken the law,” says Barriball. “None of the resentative of local iwi Ngati Hei, when people against the 20 house-lot proposal. Minister’s new coastal policy statement, erty rights but we’re pleading with your guidebooks say, ‘New Chums is actually making his resource consent application. Cholmondeley Smith says, “I could just which requires councils to provide greater generosity to have some consideration for private property and you’re trespassing.’” “The extent of the consultation was just about hear my parents’ voices: ‘You’ve got certainty about where development can the public good’.” Applying for resource consent is the only letting us know their intentions.” to do something about this; preserve it now and can’t take place; however, the EDS felt Kerr surrendered the consent for the way the public will have legal access, she The land has both historical and cultural or it’s gone forever.’” that stronger protection was needed for

8 2 | NORTH & SOUTH | JANUARY 2 0 1 1 NORTH & SOUTH | JANUARY 2 0 1 1 | 8 3 simon young Environment Waikato consented to a new investment to get good outcomes”. bridge near the entrance to the Whanga- He says John Darby and his associates are poua/New Chums block because it ticked well-intentioned and principled people try- the boxes and didn’t require public notifica- ing to do the best they can. tion, says Drok. “There’s been some unfortunate stereo- The other application, for a house on the typing of them. There have been threats on northern headland, was made separately Facebook pages and offensive remarks.” from the 20 house-lot application because Darby may not like being dubbed a the site is more contentious, being on the “Queenstown property developer” by the highly visible northern end of the beach. media, but there’s no getting around the “Once the 20 house lots had been agreed fact that he is one. to, there’s already access and infrastructure Darby Partners Ltd consists of an “unusual in place for that house; they’ll have to allow mix” of landscape architects, economists, it, it’s his land,” says Drok. planners and ecologists, says Darby, working The local council doesn’t have the resources on large-scale projects typically associated to monitor residents using their four-wheel- with the tourism sector: golf courses (such drives to get down to the beach, he says. as Michael Hill’s), ski areas, hotels (such as “I have no trust in human nature with Queenstown’s Millbrook Resort). regards to this sort of thing. The people “We work on the simple premise that good building here are going to be rich. They will land use has to respect ‘the three Es’ – eco- have things their way. We have no cellphone nomics, ethics and environment.” coverage here – you can bet your boots Most recently, Darby and George Kerr there’ll be a cellphone tower.” have been involved in Jack’s Point, a resort Drok and his wife Judy are self-appointed with 1800 homes, 600 visitor apartments, “minders” of the beach’s dotterel popula- a village and a championship golf course on tion. One pair successfully nests near the the shores of Lake Wakatipu. site once proposed for a boathouse, and A business acquaintance of Darby de- Drok is worried the chicks will be disturbed scribes him as a well-known figure held in because they have to feed themselves from high regard in Queenstown. the moment they emerge from their shell. “He’s an amazing character, an innovative It’s not about Nimbyism, he says. man ahead of his time. The quality of his “People need places to get away from the developments speaks volumes.” hustle and bustle, to recharge. If we all say Others North & South contacted expressed we want our bit of paradise, there is no similar sentiments. paradise. “I’m not aware of any dealings that have “It’s not as though we have 600 million gone awry for him,” says one, “and that’s immigrants we have to accommodate. Thou- saying something for Queenstown – a lot of sands of people have enjoyed this vista and developers go under.” our future generations will have that com- As media interest in New Chums brewed promised if one or two rich people have last year, Darby became increasingly reluc- their right to have a nice big house overlook- tant to speak out. ing us on the hill. “Why I’ve weathered the flak when argu- “Maybe Darby’s the best of a bad bunch, ably I could’ve managed it better is I’m more but he’s a bad bunch. He’s a developer. He focused on seeing if we can get a result – any- wants to put buildings here.” thing else that happens is secondary to that.”

Weak coastal legislation concerns Erwin Drok Darby was rattled by newspaper articles (above), a member of the Whangapoua Beach iven the plethora of dire incorrectly stating a boat ramp was part of headlands and prominent ridgelines and Ratepayers Association. “If development starts now, it won’t stop, are manuka and ponga ferns – flimsy stuff.” coastal developments the proposal and a television clip, aired with- to prevent coastal sprawl.) because the argument will be, ‘Well, there’s He says that during the consultation proc- that have been given out seeking his input, “where they said, ‘The Weak coastal legislation also concerns a couple of houses there already, what’s a ess, the ratepayers association proposed a the go-ahead in recent beach will never be like this again; it’ll be Erwin Drok, a member and former chair of few more?’ And we’ll end up with a place public loop track around the kauri stand in years, it’s understand- covered in houses.’” the Whangapoua Beach Ratepayers Associa- “If development that looks like Mangawhai Heads or Tairua.” the New Chums catchment, which the de- able an application for Media releases detailing the placement tion, who dealt with Darby and his associ- starts now, it Referencing housing plans at nearby Ma- velopers refused. The association also asked development at a well- of house lots in the catchment not visible ates during the consultation process. (Drok tarangi beach which stipulated plant screen- for permanent public access to the beach, Gknown, much-loved beach has provoked from the beach and the intent to grant pub- says the association, which put in a submis- won’t stop.” ing that never occurred, Drok says he finds “and the new proposal came out as if they such strong reactions. lic access to the beach weren’t used, Darby sion against the house lots sited near New it hard to believe people “will pay millions had come up with the idea”. However, Gary Taylor says the stereotype says, referring to a New Zealand Herald ar- Erwin Drok Chums but not Whangapoua, takes “a more of dollars for a section with a stunning vista”, Two resource consent applications that of a developer being a “money-grubbing wide ticle last September which began: “The reasoned and pragmatic approach to the then willingly comply with the screening were made separately from the one for the boy in a Learjet” may be falling by the way- Director-General of Conservation, the His- issue” than he does personally.) requirement that would block those views. 20 house-lot project further raised suspi- side as a new breed emerges that’s “well toric Places Trust and Labour leader Phil The first cut is the deepest, says Drok. “And the ‘filtered screens’ in the proposal cions about developer motives. resourced and prepared to put in significant Goff have joined a chorus of opposition

8 4 | NORTH & SOUTH | JANUARY 2 0 1 1 NORTH & SOUTH | JANUARY 2 0 1 1 | 8 5 against rich-listers building houses on an Darby claims the new personnel “did an sation that ensures their financial sustain- untouched Coromandel beach…” about-turn from where we felt the three ability. Currently there’s no guarantee of simon young In that article, Darby says, DoC chief Al years of consultation had gone”. ongoing funding for the maintenance (weed “What we’re Morrison “referenced a threat to kiwi – but • Regarding the separate application for a and pest control, revegetation programmes proposing saves we’ve actually been running our own kiwi house on the northern headland (which was etc) of the land the covenants set out to care programme since we bought the land”. put on hold with the 20 house-lot applica- protect in perpetuity. ratepayers Other points Darby raises: tion last October), Darby says the land was Although the QEII National Trust was acquiring the land, • The boathouse – plans for which have owned by “an entirely separate trust [Kerr’s] established for such a purpose, Darby be- been abandoned – would have been for kay- and they’re entitled to one house non-no- lieves it’s not funded well enough to deal but delivers many aks, not motor craft, which he would prefer tified as of right. Why would you voluntarily with highly sensitive or critical landscapes. of the benefits that to exclude from the bay. “We’ve seen boaties notify something you’re not required to?” (Gary Taylor says it also doesn’t provide turning up with crates of beer, so to talk Given the opportunity to air his views protection against subdivision.) would otherwise about several more households disturbing outside of television soundbites and snappy Wouldn’t local and regional councils be be delivered if the tranquillity…” The full-time farm man- newspaper headlines, Darby explains his able to fulfil this role? “Too politically in- they had to.” ager employed by the family trusts is “really desire to set up a sustainable model for fluenced,” says Darby. DoC? “Heavily under- a beach caretaker, spending all his time re- coastal development that doesn’t burden resourced.” A public-private partnership John Darby moving all the rubbish and crap and stop- the taxpayer. “could provide the economics to deliver ping people from lighting fires which would Darby Partners Ltd has already trialled conservation outcomes”, he says. destroy the pohutukawa forest”. new models of land-use management in its “Some people say it’s like dancing with the • Considerable work has been done to pre- developments, such as the “Community of devil, but it’s actually a well-established and vent the disturbance of Maori sites. Darby Care” programmes that bind buyers of sec- successful concept in many areas where en- cites a development by his firm at Omaha tions to provide maintenance funding and vironmental issues have been heavily debated Beach, north of Auckland, “where there were sometimes conservation schemes as part of over time, such as California… What we’re expensive job – there’s a lot of coastline.” many Maori middens, but we went through the conditions of their purchase (at Omaha proposing saves ratepayers acquiring the Darby, who has owned a Whangapoua that whole project without any adverse reac- Beach, for example, a reserve of several land, but delivers many of the benefits that beachfront bach – the old stables on the tion from local iwi we worked with”. hundred hectares was created). would otherwise be delivered if they had to. Denize family farm – for five years, says Clive • The ratepayers association executive The trouble with normal covenants, Darby The ratepayer shouldn’t have to go around Currie’s plans for New Chums were “poorly “changed several times” over the years, and says, is the lack of a well-resourced organi- reactively buying all the beaches. It’d be an conceived” and “out of character with the way a public reserve in the same manner the t remains to be seen whether the gov- the Coromandel is used by Kiwis… It’s a beau- family trusts are doing. ernment stumps up the millions ($10 tiful beach, it should be left untouched.” To get good development, he says, you million, according to Phil Goff ) to put He abhors “the classic New Zealand subdi- need good debate. New Chums into public ownership, vision – ‘death by a thousand cuts’ – piecemeal “The way planning is done in New Zealand Iand whether protesters are appeased without an overview of the land-use plan”. is very litigious and confrontational. You put by the new development in this saga. He calls New Chums a “personal family up your proposal, the opposition stands up. Meanwhile, it’s worth noting not everyone project”, saying the family trusts involved Quite often there’s a lack of truth on both opposed the original application for the bought different parcels of the land and sides – developers saying, ‘This will be won- house lots near New Chums. agreed to plan holistically rather “than simply derful, and I won’t do this,’ and the opposi- “You can’t stop progress,” says one allow it to be incrementally subdivided”. tion groups exaggerating the effects in order Whitianga resident, adding witheringly Darby says he kept the public-private to bring public opinion on their side.” that the Preserve New Chum gathering at partnership proposal under wraps because Darby’s firm was involved in a proposal the town hall was comprised entirely of he and the families didn’t want it to appear to build 1400 homes in pine forest at Te Arai “greenies”. as though their plans – years in the making Beach, near the boundary between Auck- A Whitianga store owner says he refused – had been created directly as a result of the land and Northland. Like New Chums, it to have a Preserve New Chum petition on opposition to their 20-lot proposal. attracted a storm of protest and, he says, his counter because “I want to find out the Opponents used “very emotive misinforma- suffered from a lack of informed, non-emo- facts for myself first; I don’t want to be told tion” to whip up a storm of protest, he adds. tive debate. “That means good land-use what to think.” “The ‘Facebook mentality’ was ‘Speak out skills, good resource information, good un- Whangapoua Beach store owner Steve now – developers will destroy the beach.’ derstanding of what are the options, effects, Ferguson says he can’t afford to be seen as Naturally everyone who’s been to New benefits, costs. I’m not impartial, but what either for or against development at New Chums joined… A number of people have was on offer was so much better than what- Chums, or he’d lose customers. now visited the site and said, ‘We’ve been ever otherwise would have been achieved.” He and his wife, Diane, are tired of being misled, we were told they were putting (The 1400-home plan was scaled back to asked for directions to the beach – up to 30 buildings on the beach.’ 850 homes, then 180, but was still rejected by times a day in peak season. “We find it annoying when opposition the old Rodney District Council on the recom- New Chums “bores” him, he adds. groups take a simplistic view and imply the mendation of independent commissioners.) “There’s nothing there. I’d rather walk along government should just buy the beach. Says Darby: “The work we’re doing right Whangapoua beach and look at houses and That’s not a solution that will protect the now on New Chums is to try to get it to the people than walk along looking at trees. We’ve New Zealand coastline.” point where a debate wouldn’t even happen. only been there once in six years. Once we Darby hopes Cholmondeley Smith and I’d like to think it’ll be widely welcomed, got there we thought it was quite neat, then her family will vest the last of their land as something that has momentum.” – ho hum. Let’s go home again.” +

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