Waiheke Stony Batter lease: Billionaire Berridge Spencer eyes 20-year tourism deal with Department of Conservation

In a rare move, Spencer spoke about his excitement and hopes for Stony Batter.

A spokesman for Man O’ War Vineyards said: “We are delighted that the proposal we submitted with Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki has made it to this stage of the process for the Stony Batter concession.

“We obviously don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but if we are successful, we’re excited at the possibilities of building on what Tim Moon has done to hopefully enable more people to experience what is a fascinating part of New Zealand history.

“What we submitted is all about caring for what exists, improving access and delivering an enriching experience.

“If the concession is granted, Man O’ War and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki would work together to share this important piece of Waiheke history with all visitors.”

The department held a notified hearing on February 27 this year, which considered only the first application, not the second.

This strongly indicates that Spencer and the iwi could win, although no announcement has yet been made.

“We received 24 submissions: 18 in support and six opposed,” the department said of the Spencer/iwi application.

One of those submissions referred to the outgoing Waiheke Local Board supporting Moon’s concession and renewal.

Stony Batter land, owned and managed by the department, is surrounded by Spencer’s Man O’ War Station.

Berridge Spencer’s father the late John Spencer was once New Zealand’s richest man but blocked access to the fort, which could only be gained over his farmland.

But in 2002, the Privy Council in London supported the then-Auckland City Council, allowing permanent public access.

Berridge Spencer, with co-owner Sydney-based sister Mertsi, controls Waiheke’s eastern end near the award-winning Man O’War Vineyard and farming operations via Man O’ War Farm.

The National Business Review’s Rich List estimated Spencer’s wealth last year at $1 billion.

Moon complained to the Herald today about his lease not being renewed and said he had wanted to continue operating Stony Batter.

He sought to renew his company’s concession for a five-year lease, which expired on June 4, 2025.

But last year, Moon’s company won an interim extension until this Sunday.

Now, he says, his attempt to renew his lease and continue his operations has been unsuccessful, and he is unhappy about that.

Instead, Moon claims all indications are that a new lease or concession will be struck with Spencer and Māori.

The department ran a closed tender process ahead of the lease’s expiry last year.

That was advertised on its website.

The department said Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Man O’War Vineyards proposed to establish a visitor centre for guided tours, using existing structures without any proposed structural modifications.

Scheduled guided tours would offer visitors the opportunity to explore the historic underground tunnels and gun emplacements.

Educational, historical and cultural information would be provided by staff.

Access to the tunnels would be restricted to paying customers, but non-paying visitors would be able to explore the above-ground features free of charge, the department said.

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 is sought.

Moon said his lease was initially for five years until last June.

“Renewal discussions were underway and then Man O’ War entered the picture,” he said.

An interim lease was issued to maintain the status quo while the department process ran its course, he said.

“Nothing else has been determined, so the tunnels close without a new concession,” Moon said today.

Separately, Spencer has $400m-plus plans for Devonport after buying nearly a block for more than $40m two years ago.

A master-planned town centre is planned to result in intensified urban housing and commercial regeneration on more than half a hectare.

The announcement of plans was made by Mark Hiddleston, for Spencer’s Peninsula Capital.

The project on 6026sq m is planned to bring new urban housing, offices and shops to enhance the economic vibrancy of the local community.

New buildings are planned as well as the integration, enhancement and adaptive re-use of many listed heritage buildings for intensified urban living.

Spencer has also invested heavily in the South Island in recent years.

He has a new, much-acclaimed South Island restaurant as well as two vineyards.

Last May, Arrowtown’s Swiftsure by Man O’ War restaurant opened.

That has received positive reviews and is serving wines from vineyards Spencer has on Waiheke Island as well as his new southern vineyard ventures.

“The food is outstanding,” reviewer Jesse Mulligan wrote in Viva last August of Swiftsure.

“I can see why the people behind Man O’ War wanted to plant a flag down here, both to start a new chapter for the company and to continue creating a portfolio of wines that will help tell the story of New Zealand to the world.”

Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 26 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.