h-member-login

MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER  header call 
Melody sales@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 021454814
Nadia n.lewis@xtra.co.nz 021677978
Reporting: Julia news@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 0274641673
 Accounts: Richard info@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 021678358

 

Archives

Environmentalists legacy home for sale

 

Ballantine property-117The Goat Island home of Dr Bill Ballantine, New Zealand’s founding father of marine conservation who successfully established “no take” marine reserves in the area, is for sale by Barfoot & Thompson.

Before his passing in 2015, Dr Ballantine spent over 50 years living in the home, during which time he fought for legislative change that allowed the first ever marine reserve – Cape Rodney-Okakari Point (known to most as Goat Island) – to be established in 1977. It currently remains one of the world’s few “no take” reserves.

The reserve (which is a mere five sq km) was intended for scientific purposes and it was thought no one would be interested in it as a recreational destination. Establishing the reserve had the opposite effect. The stunning and abundant array of colourful sea life (such as blue maomao and snapper) now attracts an estimated 375,000 visitors each year and 6000 people per day in the peak summer season.

Dr Ballantine’s children have decided that now is the right time to part with the property.

“We have amazing memories of growing up in the house and are incredibly proud of what our father achieved from within its four walls. Leigh is a magical place and in part we have our father to thank for this,” says Dr Ballantine’s daughter Mary, who lives locally in Leigh with her family.

The property is on Goat Island Road, which leads to the reserve, and the University of Auckland's Leigh Marine Laboratory, where Dr Ballantine was the first and longest running inaugural director. He was internationally recognised as the recipient of the Goldman Prize in 1996 – often referred to as the Nobel Prize of Environmentalism.

bill-ballantine copy-872In 1964 when Dr Ballantine arrived, a simple hut existed on the land. The two bedroom lockwood was extended to a four bedroom family home with a garage. Renovations were completed by Dr and Mrs Ballantine, along with friends. The home was a ‘hub’ of activity for bright minds, having hosted academics, travellers, nature photographers and government officials.

A quote from Dr Ballantine that appeared in Local Matters is quite fitting for the modest house: “Material things have never been important to me and if I really want to feel like a decadent millionaire, then all I have to do is allow myself two fried eggs for breakfast.

” Surrounding the house is 13,691 sqm of native bush which is protected by its classification under the Proposed Auckland Unitary plan Outstanding Natural Landscapes Overlay. Ian Thornhill, Barfoot & Thompson says, “This is a property of surreal natural beauty with important local and national history. Its previous owner was a staunch believer in the value of preserving all nature has to offer for generations to come.”

More listing info at barfoot.co.nz/586376

MEMORIES: Dr Bill Ballantine and his family spent over 50 years in the Leigh property, nestled in bush at the bottom of this picture.
ABOUT US
  CHECK IT OUT
The Mangawhai Focus is the only 'Mangawhai' community Newspaper and is the paper of choice within the local area.

For more information on distribution and circulation please 
click here
 

Directory

Archives

Contact Us


 

 

 

FOLLOW US

facebook   twitter   174855-378

CONTACT US


Sales: 021 454814
  sales@mangawhaifocus.co.nz
Editorial: 027 4641673
  news@mangawhaifocus.co.nz
Office: 021 678357
  info@mangawhaifocus.co.nz