The Friends

Brief History

In 1985 Fulton Hogan had plans to mine the centre of the Blackhead headland site to 50 metres below sea level and then blast an opening into the ocean creating a safe boat harbour. Destroying the headland completely.
The Friends of Blackhead achieved with negotiations with the Department of Conservation and Fulton Hogan the placement of a Covenant over an area of the headland in 1991 to stop the quarry spill destroying the rare basalt rock formations, the Roman Baths and Dock.

A condition of the covenant was that the rubble covering the rock formations was cleared away, and further spill be redirected away from the protected covenant areas. After 18 years, this has not been carried out.

To ensure the covenant conditions are fulfilled a public campaign has been launched to rally support through the reformation of the Friends of Blackhead, and to negotiate again with Blackhead Quarries and DOC to restore the headland treasures for the public to once again enjoy.

The Friends

The friend of Blackhead group included

•local Maori – Peter Carter ( Cultural and historical values , as a food gathering area)

• surfers including – Rod Rust (Blackhead is a first rate surf spot and one of few that works in a north east wind)

•environmentalists – Sue Maturin

•Botanists – Peter Johnson

•Journalists – Neville Peat

peter-Nicholls1

Sydney Mann Sydney-Mann-violinist

6 Responses

grant finn, on January 9, 2010 at 9:08 am said:

Nic as previously discussed i am certainly prepared to assist.

finny

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Steven De Graaf, on December 8, 2011 at 5:04 pm said:

What a ginormous f….p. It pains me everytime I see the once mighty headland slowly disappearing. I’m keen to help if needed.
Steven De Graaf

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- admin, on December 8, 2011 at 7:16 pm said:
  
  hi Steven, yes its very painful.
  There will definately be action coming up on this matter, your help will be much appreciated. I will email you closer to the time, just have to deal with the Aramoana hearings first.
  
  Reply
Simon, on April 27, 2012 at 10:11 am said:

Hi there,

Over the years I’ve taken many photos of Blackhead. Happy to make these available to the group if they can somehow help the cause. Here’s a few examples:

http://www.mundoview.com/lightroom/Blackhead/

Let me know if you have a use for them and I’ll work something out.

Also wondering if you are aware of any access down to the coast immediately to the north of Blackhead (i.e. between Blackhead and Tunnel Beach). I’m keen to get down there and take some more shots…

Cheers,

Simon

Dunedin

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- admin, on April 27, 2012 at 11:22 am said:
  
  wow, you are an amazing photographer!
  thanks for the offer of images, do you have any pre 2005?
  Access issues, thats a place I really want to get in and photograph.
  I spoke to the quarry manager a few years back about doing a photo shoot from the inside of the quarry, I would have had to do a safety course before entering, but it would have been possible.
  I have just had so much happening, i have not had the opportunity to do so yet.
  Nic
  
  Reply
Simon, on April 27, 2012 at 1:52 pm said:

Hi, no sorry nothing prior to 2009 (only moved to NZ recently)… Keep me posted if you do arrange anything with Blackhead. I’d heard somewhere that there was a ladder somewhere (possibly at the bottom of some of the private land to the north of the quarry), but can’t remember where I heard that… Cheers Simon.

Reply