LGOIMA Request Details: LG2443

LG 2443 - How Manawatū District Council obtain Mt Lees and conditions that were to be adhered to. 

I refer to your official information request dated 07/04/2026  

The information you have requested is below. 

1. How did the Manawatu District Council obtain Mt Lees Reserve and what date. 

• Ormond Wilson bequeathed the land and homestead that is currently known as Mt Lees Reserve, to the Department of Conservation in 1972. 

• The land was acquired as Mt Lees Reserve for a public park by Gazette Notice in 1972 page 284, gazetted by the Minister of Lands. 

• Mt Lees Reserve becomes classified as a reserve for scenic purposes in Gazette Notice 1981-page 2926, gazetted by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. 

• The Reserve was then vested with the Feilding Borough Council by Gazette Notice in 1989 page 23, gazetted by J E Connell as the Regional Manager of Wanganui under delegations from the Minister of Conservation. 

2. What are the conditions under the purchase of Mt Lees Reserve that were to be adhered to. 

• Mt Lees Reserve was not purchased by Council. It was gazetted as a Scenic Reserve under the Reserves Act 1977. 

• Conditions relating to the management and development of Mt Lees Reserve for public use are set out in the Reserves Act 1977 and the Mt Lees Reserve Management Plan. Reserve Management Plans are a legislative requirement under the Reserves Act that set the direction for the day-to-day management of reserves and establish clear directions for future management and development. 

• The link below will take you to Council’s Reserve Management Plans where you can view the Mt Lees Plan under the ‘District Wide Reserves Management Plan’ document. 

• Reserve Management Plans | Manawatū District Council

 

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