This application is notified under section 17SC of the Conservation Act 1987. The Minister of Conservation has received an application for a concession from:
Application details
Applicant: Te Haerenga o Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki Limited and Man O'War Vineyards Limited
Concession applied for: Lease and licence
Location of proposed activity: Stony Batter Historic Reserve, Waiheke Island
Summary of proposal: Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Man O’War Vineyards Limited propose to establish a visitor centre from which to undertake guided tours at Stony Batter Historic Reserve. The visitor centre and tours will utilise existing structures without any proposed structural modifications.
Scheduled guided tours will offer visitors the opportunity to explore the historic underground tunnels and gun emplacements in detail, with educational, historical and cultural information provided by staff. Access to the tunnels will be restricted to paying customers, however non-paying visitors will be able to explore the above-ground features free of charge.
Exclusive use of the visitor centre and historic tunnels is so that they can be locked after hours to protect the public’s safety and the security of the tunnels.
A term of 10 years with a 10 year right of renewal (total of 20 years) is sought.
This application was invited by the Department of Conservation following a closed tender process.
Application documents:
- Application form 1a and 4a – Applicant information and application for land based guiding activities (PDF, 655K)
- Application form 3a – Tenanting or using existing DOC structure/facility (PDF, 5,014K)
How to make a submission
Anyone can send in a written submission about this proposal:
- Your submission can be for or against the proposal.
- You can submit as an individual or on behalf of an organisation.
- If you want to speak at a hearing to support your submission, please say so in your form.
Submissions closed 27 November 2025 at 5 pm.
What happens next
After submissions close:
- DOC will analyse and consider all submissions and comments on the application.
- A hearing will be held if there have been requests to be heard by the Director-General. If you have expressed an interest in presenting your submission at a hearing, you will be contacted by DOC regarding this.
- DOC will analyse and consider information raised at the hearing if a hearing occurred.
- DOC will make a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation.
- The Minister of Conservation will make a decision on the application.
Hearing details
If a hearing is required, it is likely to occur in December 2025.
Decision
No details at this point. Details, such as submissions and the decision outcome, will be added when they are available.
DOC comment regarding publicly notified applications
The Minister of Conservation has made no determination regarding the suitability of this proposed concession on public conservation land. This public notification should not be interpreted as an intention on the part of the Minister of Conservation to grant the proposed concession.
Contact
If you have a question about the application or the submission process you can contact Ben Fielding, Senior Permissions Treaty Advisor.
Email: DNSubmissions@doc.govt.nz