Precedent:
Auckland Botanic Gardens

Officially opened to the public in February 1982, the Gardens span 64 hectares in Manurewa.
They are owned and operated by Auckland Council through its Parks, Sports and Recreation department.

Early land for the Gardens came from the Nathan Estate, purchased by the Auckland Regional Authority starting in 1967.
In October 2023, Auckland Council paid a further $12.37 million for 1.6 hectares on Hill Road in Manurewa to extend the Botanic Gardens. Plans include rezoning it from residential to open space for informal recreation.
In 2025, philanthropist Rosemary Platt gifted 5.63 hectares of ecologically significant land (the “Platt Arboretum”) to Auckland Council. The land will be permanently protected and become part of the botanic gardens network.

These acquisitions were driven by the need to prevent development in fast-growing areas, preserve public access, and protect ecological value.
The Council has shown willingness to use debt funding when needed to secure strategic land.
Protection is long-term: the new lands are to be held in public ownership, protected in perpetuity under legislation, and zoned for open space.

Mayor Wayne Brown supported the Hill Road acquisition, emphasizing the benefit to future generations and the need to act before opportunities were lost.
Councillor Richard Hills (Chair of the Planning, Environment, and Parks Committee) commented on the strategic value of the Hill Road land, including themed gardens, improved frontage, and better visitor experience.
Angela Dalton (Manurewa-Papakura ward councillor) supported incorporating Māori identity and culture, including a traditional/ethnobotanic garden, in the use of the new land.

The Hill Road acquisition cost $12.37 million, a significant investment given Council’s tight budgets.
Council opted to debt-fund most of the purchase rather than drawing on reserves.
Acquired land is legally protected and rezoned to ensure it cannot be sold or developed in the future.

Auckland Council has already shown it will pay high costs for strategic land to preserve open space and public amenity, even when under financial pressure.
The process is clear: acquisition, community and stakeholder consultation, master planning, and ongoing investment.
Legal protections and zoning changes ensure permanence.
Philanthropic contributions, like the gift of the Platt Arboretum, demonstrate that partnerships can also play a role in securing land for the public good.