19 Jun 2010

Baring Head purchased for the public

9:14 am on 19 June 2010

A 240 hectare block of land near Wellington, known as Baring Head, has been purchased by a consortium and put into public ownership.

The consortium led by Wellington Regional Council includes the Department of Conservation, the Nature Heritage Fund, Hutt City Council and a private donor.

WRC chair Fran Wilde says Baring Head has unique features such as coastal biodiversity and recreational opportunities.

She says there was a lot of public support for the land to be put into public ownership.

Ms Wilde says the purchase price cannot be confirmed until next week when arrangements with the vendor are finalised.

The Dominion Post reports the land was once part of the Riddiford estate and used to belong to Orongorongo Lodge.