A History of the Korean Garden

(25 July 2009)

1. The voluntary community work begins

The beginning of the Korean Garden Trust traces back to 1997. On 27 July 1997, the Christian Businessmen Committee (CBMC) was launched and began as part of its voluntary community work, cleaning of one of the parks on the North Shore. The motive behind this community work was to contribute towards the local community in showing gratitude for what they have gained from living as Auckland residents. The Regio team from the Auckland Korean Catholic Community joined the volunteer group late 1998. The voluntary work has continued for the past twelve years. Currently there are around ten participants cleaning and looking after the park monthly.

2. The foundation of the Korean Garden Trust

In March 2007, the volunteer group began their discussions with Paul O’Brien, the Reserves and Parks Officer at the North Shore City Council regarding change of venue of the voluntary work. The idea of the North Shore City Council and the local Korean community establishing a Korean Garden together was first brought up at this time. They reached an agreement to build the Korean Garden at Stancich Reserve, where the volunteer group has been working at for more than ten years.

The Trust launched with around ten founding members, however it is now a 110-person organization as of July 2009 with various members of the local Korean continuing to join.

3. Major progress and two dismissals

The Glenfield Community Board passed the proposal on 10 October 2007, after which the Committee passed on the proposal to the North Shore City Council. However the Council dismissed the proposal on the basis that Stancich Reserve is designated as a protective reserve, meaning it cannot have any artificial monuments/ sculptures.

As an alternative solution, the Council suggested Onepoto Domain, Barry’s Point Reserve, Marlborough Park and Diana Reserve as the potential Korean Garden sites. The Korean Garden Trust carried out research in November 2007 and ranked Onepoto Domain as the most desired Garden site, followed by Barry’s Point Reserve. The Trust submitted this choice of Garden sites to the Council.

The Trust refurbished its proposal to suit Onepoto Domain and presented it at the Birkenhead / Northcote Community Board meeting. However on 6 May 2008 the Birkenhead/ Northcote Community Board decided to dismiss the proposal.

4. Proactive involvement and support from the Mayor of the North Shore City

On 7 May 2007 following the two decisions of dismissal, Andrew Williams, the Honourable Mayor of the North Shore City promised that he will get directly involved in selecting the suitable Garden site. Mr. Williams expressed respect and gratitude towards the voluntary work by the Koreans towards the local community and the enthusiasm to establish the Korean Garden. He also made a public announcement that he will actively support the Korean Garden Project so that it does not face another obstacle.

On 13 February 2008, Mr. Williams passed on the proceeds from the Korean New Zealand Businesspersons Golf Tournament held by the North Shore City together with the Korean Society of New Zealand. From this time, the Deputy Mayor of the North Shore City and other City Councilors began to express interest and provide active support towards the Korean Garden Project.

5. Progress on Barry’s Point as the Korean Garden site

Subsequently, there were movements from the local community groups in Barry’s Point area for establishing the Korean Garden in Barry’s Point. On 10 June 2008, a community organization called Friends of Barry’s Point wrote to the editor of the North Shore Times expressing their interest and enthusiasm towards establishing the Korean Garden at Barry’s Point. Soon after, the Lake House Art Centre also expressed their support towards establishing the Korean Garden on Barry’s Point.

From September 2008, the Takapuna Community Board got actively involved with the Korean Garden Trust in the inspecting and selection process for finalizing the suitable site for the Korean Garden.

On 15 December 2008, the Korean Garden Trust held a presentation at the Takapuna Community Board Meeting. At this event there were sixty participants consisting of the Korean Garden Trust members, local residents both Korean and Kiwi. Representatives from the Lake House Art Centre, Friends of Barry’s Point, Rosmini College, the Cathedral Church, Takapuna Golf Driving Range attended and expressed their support.

The Takapuna Community Board closely inspected the proposal for the Korean Garden over the period of five months. They also obtained approval from the local community boards/ groups and the NZ Korea Veterans Asociation. They also obtained petition of support from the local residents. Subsequently at the meeting held on 2 April 2009, the Takapuna Community Board made a unanimous decision to approve the Korean Garden project.

6. Support from the NZ Korea Veterans Association

The Korean Garden Trust decided to establish a memorial monument for the NZ Korea War Veterans in Korean Garden. This is to commemorate and educate the future generations of the friendship between New Zealand and Korea, and the Korean War Veterans’ sacred spirit of sacrifice.

At the NZ Korea Veterans Association AGM held on 22 January 2009, the Korean Garden Trust gave a presentation on the Korean Garden project. Subsequently at the AGM held on 21 May 2009, the NZ Korea Veterans Association presented their donation to the Korean Garden Trust.

7. The land use licence from the North Shore City Council

On 7 May 2009 the Korean Garden Trust gave a final presentation for the proposal at the Community Services & Parks Committee (CS & PC) meeting at the North Shore City Council. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session and voting. The North Shore City Council made a unanimous decision to issue the land use licence for 33 years regarding the 1 Ha of land at Barry’s Point. Tony Holman, the president at the CS & PC meeting, Andrew Williams the Mayor of the North Shore City, Julia Parfitt the Deputy mayor of the North Shore City and all other 18 Councilors agreed and declared that the North Shore City Council approves the land use consent to the Korean Garden Trust for the following reasons:

a)    The North Shore City and its citizens appreciate the continuous voluntary work carried out by the local Koreans for the past twelve years;

b)    They are greatly supportive of establishing the memorial monument to commemorate the Korean War Veterans who have sacrificed their youth and lives;

c)    The Korean Garden project preserving and promoting the beautiful Korean cultural heritage suits and complements New Zealand’s public policy promoting and celebrating multi-culturalism;

d)    They wish to see other gardens of other cultures using the Korean Garden as a role model;

e)    They hope to have the Korean Garden as another site for various cultural activities, weddings and sporting events;

f)    They hope to see the Korean Garden become a venue, quite different from the typical park or garden, where the citizens can enjoy at leisure at the same time experiencing a different culture.

8. Future plans

The Korean Society of Auckland launched its tenth term in July 2009. The Korean Garden Trust plan to work closely with the Korean Society to progress the Korean Garden project with the help of the local Korean community. The Korean Garden Trust wish to progress the fundraising activity under a joint name with the Korean Society of Auckland. The plan is to raise approximately NZD 1.5 million within three years time before launching construction work. The Korean Garden Trust wish to submit to the North Shore City Council the final design of the Korean Garden early 2010. The Korean Garden Technical Support team is now designing and is selecting the architect and landscape company for the submission of the final design.

9. The meaning and purpose of the Korean Garden

The meaning and purpose of the Korean Garden is as follows:

a)    To introduce the Korean traditions and cultural heritage, promote the nation brand image of Korea, to boost the Korean national confidence and to uphold the image of Korean residents in the local New Zealand community;

b)    To introduce the Korean traditional arts, contribute to better and further understanding on Korea and to better the friendship between Korea and New Zealand.

c)    To educate to the future generations of New Zealanders the Korean history and cultural heritage.