Source: Auckland Council
In an extraordinary act of generosity, Auckland philanthropist Rosemary Platt has gifted 5.63 hectares (approximately 14 acres) of ecologically significant land to the people of Tāmaki Makaurau.
In exchange for this gift, Auckland Council has committed to protect the botanical site as a regional park in perpetuity so that future generations can access and enjoy its remarkable collection of trees and open space.
Mayor Wayne Brown says the newly acquired land will become an important destination in the Auckland regional parks network, once it can be opened to the public.
“This is an overwhelmingly remarkable gift to the city. I’m delighted to be able to accept this impressive Greenhithe property on behalf of Aucklanders.
“We will honour accordingly the vision and meticulous work Mrs Platt and her late husband Graeme Platt have put into it since they bought it back in 1983,” Mayor Brown says.
“Thanks to Graeme’s pioneering expertise in horticulture, this property has become an impressive sanctuary of open space and rare tree specimens that are not found anywhere else.
“It has one of the greatest collections of kauri trees in the country, including a forest grown from seed of the great Tāne Mahuta, as well as a genetic replica of the giant ‘God of the Forest’ kauri tree itself,” says Mayor Brown.
“We are very lucky to be gifted these treasures and to receive the honour of looking after them into the future. It is a privilege to become part of such an inspirational story,” he adds.
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Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau will continue to work in partnership with Te Kawerau ā Maki and Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei on this project, given the significance of the property acquisition, the taonga species (flora and fauna) preserved within it, and its location.
The whenua in this area holds deep historical connections to both iwi, with Tauhinu Pā once standing as a key stronghold nearby, overlooking Oruamo (Hellyers Creek) and the Upper Waitematā Harbour. Named Tauhinu after the native shrub that grew abundantly here, it was an important strategic defence and settlement site over hundreds of years.
The Platt family connection to the site stems backs to 1974, when Graeme and Rosemary opened Platts native plant nursery in Albany. The nursery quickly became the most popular supplier of quality native plants, and the couple became recognised as leading experts on growing native trees.
Over the next 20 years, they introduced many of the well-known native plants still popular in gardens throughout New Zealand and supplied the Auckland Botanic Gardens with many native shrubs and trees on site that visitors enjoy today.
Mrs Platt says her late husband went to great lengths to source superior genetic stock by travelling the country. He believed in harvesting seed from the very best parent stock, personally sourcing kauri cones himself and nurturing seedlings descended directly from Tāne Mahuta, which are now flourishing in Greenhithe.
“He would be thrilled that his passion for ancient trees such as kauri and its relatives from other countries will be enjoyed by our community as they stroll amongst these magnificent trees and appreciate their rich history,” says Mrs Platt.
“As properties become smaller and lives busier, I think that public access to nature and open space is becoming even more important. I am thrilled to know that this property will be cared for by the council so that people can find peace and respite amongst the trees,” she adds.
Rosemary Platt at the Greenhithe property she has gifted to Aucklanders.
After the couple had purchased the block of land in Greenhithe to set up their family home in 1983, Mr Platt set about planting an arboretum (tree collection) there, sourcing a selection of speciality trees that occur in countries that once formed the great ancient continent of Gondwana. It now features more than 1000 mature trees from counties including New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and South America.
Auckland Botanic Gardens Manager Jack Hobbs says many rare and special trees are showcased in this “absolutely remarkable collection”, including several that are threatened with extinction in their natural habitats. It is hoped to establish a volunteer programme to help care for these threatened species.
“The property also has a series of connected open spaces that are beautifully laid out around a central pond, providing a range of exciting opportunities for future use,” says Mr Hobbs.
“All of these unique qualities mean it could be developed as an excellent satellite botanic garden in the north, in keeping with the Auckland Botanic Gardens Management Plan.
“I met Graeme about 45 years ago and it is fair to say his intellect and charismatic ability to inspire others with his passion for native plants made a huge impression on me,” says Mr Hobbs.
“I regard him as one of the greatest influences on horticulture in this country, particularly through his promotion of the virtues of our native flora, and I am delighted his legacy continues with the gifting of this remarkable property.
“Rosemary is also a remarkable person, and her kindness and generosity in gifting this property is the most significant gesture I have encountered during my 50-year horticultural career,” he adds.
Rosemary Platt welcomes Councillor Christine Fletcher, Mayor Wayne Brown and Auckland Botanic Gardens Manager Jack Hobbs to the site.
Policy and Planning Committee Chair Councillor Richard Hills agrees that the land and its features provide a rare opportunity to establish a regional attraction that visitors from all over the world will eventually be able to enjoy.
“It will take time for the property to be ready for public use, but it certainly offers exciting possibilities to provide a range of education and recreation opportunities in a fast-growing area,” says Cr Hills.
In addition to its natural attractions, the Greenhithe property contains a three-bedroom house and large workshop shed. Both were built using carefully selected exotic timbers, as a high-quality sustainable alternative to native timber. The buildings also feature heritage bricks salvaged from the demolition of Auckland’s His Majesty’s Theatre in 1988.
Albany Ward Councillor John Watson says the property’s location provides those living centrally a stunning escape from the pressures of daily life, being less than 30-minutes by car from the city centre and close to the motorway.
“Having a unique open green space such as this bordering high-density housing will be a real attraction, allowing people to connect with nature in a magnificent environment,” Cr Watson says. “It is a quiet and tranquil oasis that is easily accessible to locals and other Aucklanders alike.”
Upper Harbour Local Board chair Anna Atkinson agrees that opportunities to treasure our parks and open spaces will become increasingly important as the city grows over the next 30 years.
“I can see this site bringing people of all ages together in the future, to learn more about conservation and the importance of protecting its unique features. It represents an exceptional gift towards future wellbeing,” Ms Atkinson says.
The next step will be to develop a plan for the new parkland to support its future use and enjoyment by the public.
Essential infrastructure like additional carparking, signage and toilets will be needed before the site can open to the public.
As well as gifting this magnificent property to Aucklanders, Mrs Platt recently purchased an artwork from the Auckland Botanic Gardens’ Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition, to go on display at the Greenhithe site.
Moo by Jamie Pickernell is, as the name suggests, a cow that reflects the arboretum’s farming past and was one of the most popular works in this year’s Sculpture in the Gardens.
In addition, Rosemary Platt has gifted a larger-than-life sized corten steel, wood and stainless steel cow artwork, named Moo, by Jamie Pickernell to permanently go on display at the Greenhithe property.
Property information
- The Platt’s gifted property has a council valuation of $10,190,000.
- Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens have committed $20,000 towards future planning, recognising its ecological significance.
- The property is bordered by a Significant Ecological Area, with housing on three sides.
- Two buildings on the site have beautiful exotic wood interiors and provide future opportunity for a café and education facility.
- An initial council assessment recommends the site becomes a future satellite botanic garden.
- Public access is not yet available to the site.
A workshop in the shed showcases a range of exotic timber.