Inception of WHNP
| In 1975 the Hamilton City Council purchased 60ha of land around Horseshoe Lake (Waiwhakareke) to provide for the future growth and recreational needs of the city. Since then the site has been leased as a dairy farm. In May 1998 a joint venture proposal to create a park was endorsed by Hamilton City Council. The resolution of the Social and Community Committee presenting the proposal on the Living Museum was “Approval be granted to staff to work with the Waikato Polytechnic to establish a revegetation project surrounding Horseshoe Lake within the area currently zoned REA (that is the lake plus significant surrounding areas). The concept of a “living museum” as presented by the Waikato Polytechnic be included in the Green Network Strategy as part of the District Plan.” The key objective of the project is “To create a habitat sanctuary (Heritage Park) that represents the ecosystem diversity of the Hamilton Basin.” On April 2003 the council stated its intention to devote 50ha of Waiwhakareke to the development of a Natural Heritage Park. In 2004 the first plantings took place and the project was officially launched by the Hon. Chris Carter, Minister of Conservation. From that year on plantings have taken place in different sections of the park each year by council workers, community and corporate volunteers. In 2005 a management plan for the park was produced and a variety of research began. This is to see what effects changing the area back into forest has on the area and to improve on restoration practises. The projects key partnerships include The University of Waikato, Wintec, Nga Mana Toopu O Kirikiriroa Limited Resource Management and Cultural Consultants, Tui 2000 and Hamilton City Council. |