Dear Wellington Regional Council,

Wellington Regional Council are responsible for the management of Whitireia Park at Titahi Bay as documented in the Whitireia Park Management Plan and Whitireia Park Bylaws 2006.

Extracted from the plan is the following:

OBJECTIVE 6: Radio New Zealand’s broadcasting function is not inhibited and that new network facilities do not compromise the amenity and functioning of the park.
Policy 28: Provide for suitable recreational activities on the Radio New Zealand Broadcasting land that will not affect the functioning of the radio communicating facilities.
Policy 29: Consult with the lessor, Radio New Zealand Limited, regarding any potential, structure, earth works, the planting or removal of vegetation or cultivation of land within the area where earth straps have been laid under the surface of the land.
Policy 30: Consider applications for the development of new network utilities other than Radio New Zealand* within the park on a case by case basis according to the process set out in Section 4: ‘Activity rules and process to consider new developments.’

BYLAW 21: Tents, stalls and other structures
(1) No person shall erect any tent, marquee, stall, booth, container, or other structure of any kind without: (a) the prior permission of the Whitireia Park Board or authorised person (and even then subject to any condition of that permission); and (b) paying the fees specified by the Whitireia Park Board.

There is a large quantity of gramophone records stored In the RNZ transmitter building. Apparently Nga Taonga Sound and Vision (NTSV) acquired access to these (and the site) as part of the agreement to take over RNZ and SANKT Sound Archives.

In 2014/2015 NTSV constructed a 100 square metre dangerous goods storage vault adjacent to the RNZ Transmitter building. It appears to be on top of an area where earth straps have been laid under the surface of the land.

The storage vault contains a large quantity of a flammable/explosive class 4.1 hazardous substance, Nitro-Cellulose film. This poses a risk of fire or other damage to the park.

A sign on the gate to the transmitter building advises "Keep away from Ignition Sources, No Smoking, No Naked Flames". High Power AM Radio Transmission Masts are a known source of ignition. .

I am interested in the reasons why Wellington Regional Council approved this new development within the park. Please could you supply all documents and emails (if any) in relation to the application and the granting of permission to build a dangerous goods store within Whitireia Park.

Yours faithfully,

P L Ford

Dear Darrell Young,

Thank you for your acknowledgement.
I would like to correct a small error. The date of the Management plan should be 2016 not 2006.

Yours sincerely,

P L Ford