Posted on 06/26/2002 2:06:13 PM PDT by shaggy eel
Anger is mounting at the sale to a New York financier of Young Nick's Head, a landmark described as part of the foundation of the nation.
Gisborne people are threatening to occupy the landmark - the first piece of New Zealand seen by Captain James Cook and the government is understood to be planning talks to try to free some of the most sensitive land from American ownership.
New York financier John Griffin has a contract to buy Young Nick's Head for $NZ4 million from it's private owners, subject to approval by the Overseas Investment Commission.
Former NZ First Memeber of Parliament, Tu Wyllie said yesterday that he knew "Maori and Pakeha, young and old" were prepared to occupy the headland should the sale be approved.
He said the land was hugely important to all New Zealanders because it was the first part of New Zealand seen by English explorer Captain Cook. "It's part of our foundation as a nation."
It was time New Zealanders stopped overseas people being able to buy land steeped in history", he said.
"If we have to, we will go and occupy it. It's that important. We'll get a lot of backing from the country and I know it will not just be Maori going to occupy. I know Pakeha who will go too."
The government is keen to somehow find a settlement that would dampen local anger.
Any prospects might have to rely on the goodwill of Mr Griffin because he has already signed a contract with the station's owners to buy the headland subject to Commission approval. Mr Griffin is part of a growing number of Americans snapping up prime New Zealand properties.
Local Maori tried to buy the land when it went on the market fifteen months ago but their resources were no match for Mr Griffin's.
Commission chief executive Stephen Dawe said a contract was signed before the Commission's rules were changed, making it tougher for people from overseas to buy farm land here.
He said Mr Griffin's plans for Young Nick's Head seemed to be taking account of concerns about historical sites on the land and access to those sites for Maori.
Mr Dawe refused to comment on whether the government has asked the Commission to take up issues of ownership with Mr Griffin.
Mr Griffin's plans for the farm include retiring and planting sensitive archaeological and historical areas eroded and grazed by stock.
Mr Griffin is an associate of Julian Robertson, a New York hedge fund tycoon who bought a farm north of Kerikeri and spent millions developing the exclusive Kauri Cliffs golf course on the land.
Mr Robertson is also involved in a partnership with Wellington real estate agent Robert Fisher to develop part of Cape Kidnappers into a golf course and this month he spent $NZ6,75m buying a 4358ha (11,345 acre) Canterbury high country station, Brooksdale.
Auckland University professor of history, James Belich, said it would be hard to think of a more important site in New Zealand from a historical perspective than Young Nick's Head.
At 1,30pm on October 7 1769, twelve year old "surgeon's boy" Nicholas Young spotted the site from the barque Endeavour.
Four days later, Cook sailed into Gisborne for the first meeting between Maori and British.
Gisborne archaeologist and historian Gordon Jackman said Young Nick's Head was an icon and Americans would not allow Maori to buy important historical sites in the United States.
Now that's just silly. I'd be happy to sell them the Brooklyn Bridge.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. As a Polynesian, I'd love to see more positive things stated by a Polynesian or something constructive done by a Polynesian. I'm obviously still dreaming somewhere on a beach in Tahiti!
The land in question is private property. When the dawn of 2000 celebrations were on, this was the first bit of land (after Tonga) within the international date line to see each new day. To my mind, that's of more significance. Someone has to own the land. If it's an American with the bank draft, so be it.
Only if their credit-line was unsatisfactory. [har]
,,, standby. I have a penchant for those surplus lighthouses you're selling off around the US.
Hmmmmmm, why would an american be so concerned about building an exclusive hotel/condo complex catering to those wishing to vacation at Kauri Cliffs.....ER, I mean why would an American be so concerned about helping preserve the heritage of New Zealand? Who says Americans are uncaring opportunists?
In fact, if I could afford it, I would be more than willing to shell out the several thousand dollars required to fly to NZ on a golf junket...OOPs, I mean to visit a restored historical area in a country I know nothing about.
All kidding aside, when one can not explain the unexplainable, follow the money trail. How much did Comrade Clark's party gain from this deal????????????????
Inquiring minds want to know..,......
The Maoris just drive me nuts. They rank up there with Chamorro's (Guam) and Hawaiians. It's only convenient to complain when they feel they can use race to get their way!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.