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Author Topic:   Surfers Bid To Save Headland From Overseas Sale
Isis
Knowflake

Posts: 966
From: CA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted November 08, 2004 12:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Isis     Edit/Delete Message
Harpyr, I read this article and thought of you. Remember when we were in Chatzy talking about environmental issues, and I said that I felt there were better ways to save the environment than tying oneself to a tree or militancy? (for those who weren't in on the convo, that wasn't in response to any suggestions Harpyr made, but rather just my general feelings on productive environmental activism) This is an awesome example of how I think we can combat the destruction and/or privitization of our environment.

This article is from the New Zealand Herald, regarding some prime beach and surf spots in the northern part of the North Island that was being offered for sale to developers.

Surfers Bid To Save Headland From Overseas Sale

11.06.2004
By CLAIRE TREVETT

A network of surfers has dug deep to finance a bid for a remote Far North headland to prevent it being sold to foreign investors.

Five days remain until tenders close for the 488ha headland Tauroa Pt, at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach near Ahipara.

The land is expected to fetch between $3 million and $10 million.

Lawyer and surfer Michael Weatherall will put in a bid on behalf of 250 people who signed up for a charitable trust he advertised through surfing networks.

"The reaction from people, including some now living overseas, was that we can't let this land be developed or sold to overseas interests, so we will chip in and buy it," he said.

Every summer surfers flock to the point, which can be reached by land only at low tide. It featured in the classic 1960s movie Endless Summer.

Maori families have lived in baches around the point for generations. One man, Robert Lee, said: "We don't want foreign ownership and big developments."

Mr Weatherall wrote to the Minister of Conservation, Chris Carter, suggesting the department buy it, but the minister said there wasn't enough money available.

Real estate agent Allan Myers said there had been wide interest, predominantly from New Zealanders but also from two "well-heeled" Californian surfers.

Owner Ian Walker said the Government was making it too difficult for overseas buyers.


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“The good things which belong to prosperity are to be wished, but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired.” Seneca

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Randall
Webmaster

Posts: 19590
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted November 09, 2004 10:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Harpyr
Moderator

Posts: 1718
From: sleepy Rocky Mountain village
Registered: Dec 2002

posted November 09, 2004 02:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Harpyr     Edit/Delete Message
That's great.. I hope they can wrangall up the millions they need. It's fortunate that there are so many concerned people with money for that particular issue.

If only there were enough folks willing to put their money into buying the last stands of ancient growth redwoods still in the clutches of timber barons so that their awesome and irreplaceable legacy didn't have to depend on some kids dangling by ropes up in a tree...

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Isis
Knowflake

Posts: 966
From: CA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted November 15, 2004 02:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Isis     Edit/Delete Message
2000 people w/ $500 can do as much as one person w/ a million dollars.

Maybe you could form an organization that pools together money for the sole purpose of buying old growth forests? I have to believe there are constructive ways to make the things that matter to us come to pass.

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Harpyr
Moderator

Posts: 1718
From: sleepy Rocky Mountain village
Registered: Dec 2002

posted November 16, 2004 01:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Harpyr     Edit/Delete Message
Isis, the thing is, we are not talking about a mere 1 million dollars being needed... If we are talking about saving old growth redwoods we are talking about the hundreds of millions of dollars needed.

There are many people out there trying to raise the money for this but it's too damn slow in coming..the chainsaws are already buzzing and trees that have stood for nearly a thousand years are falling NOW.. this is why the people putting their bodies on the line to slow the chainsaws in order to give time for the money or the legal team to come to the rescue are so VERY necessary.
Not to mention, heroic.

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