An hour north of Queen Street lies one of the the last untouched beaches in the greater Auckland area.

But developers are eyeing up the golden sands of Pakiri and not everyone is happy about it.

The incessant creep of development out of Auckland and the ravenous appetite for beachfront property has bypassed Pakiri.

Until now.

Secret plans for a major residential subdivision and regional park have been drafted up.

They include plans for 60 houses to be built on the 754 hectare pine forest – Mangawhai South Forest – a joint venture between the iwi and a Queenstown developer John Darby.

Development may be on the way for the sweeping Pakiri to Te Arai Pt

The site – which presently holds a large pine forest – would be opened up to public use and would also see expensive houses.

The fear among some local residents is the Pakiri coastline to Te Arai Pt will end up like the other developed east coast beaches such as Snells Beach and Omaha which are now crammed with houses and beach houses which encroach upon the beachfront.

The local iwi purchased the block as part of a treaty settlement.

The Ngati Manuhiri Settlement Trust says they are in the early stages of a development.

(cont..)

Source: An untouched slice of paradise is being eyed for development by iwi | Stuff.co.nz