testimonials
7th August 2008
To Whom It May Concern
I first met Peter Kendall some years ago at a function and we got to talking about horses and nice places to ride. I heard about Silverstream Falls then, and Peter kindly invited me to visit and have a look around with Glenn.
The native bush dominates the site, flora and fauna abundant, creating another world which you cast your eyes out to stunning ocean and valley views. Islands glisten in a shining ocean from the Mercuries to the Aldermans , and all seemingly touchable. And you are surrounded by the sounds of a gentle breeze rustling the leaves, birds singing and the water flowing in the sparkling streams. The streams are what captivate me most of all - the waterfalls, the magnificent rock formations, and the kauri dam where men toiled to earn their living a century ago all telling the story that is Silverstream.
Even those years ago, when I first set foot on Silverstream, it was a place of warmth, beauty and peace. All of those qualities have strengthened in the years since. The sympathetic design, formed within ecological values, and the careful attention to sensitive physical works have resulted in the polished diamond we see today. From the moment you enter off the highway, it is like stepping back in time. Back to when Maori first walked on this land, where untouched native bush provides a haven for the many creatures indigenous to this beautiful land.
I am very proud to lead a District that has people with the vision and foresight to embrace our natural world to create a place where people can live in harmony with it. An investment in Silverstream is capital gain in dollar terms, and capital gain in lifestyle. By choosing to live here, you choose to make a differnce in this world. You take responsibility for your very own piece of paradise, your very own native bush areas, your very own birds that choose to live in your patch are protected by your pest control. And maybe, one night you will wake up to hear a Kiwi calling you... to say thank you.
Philippa Barriball, J.P.
District Mayor
 20th August 2008
Silverstream Falls Whenuakite Coromandel Peninsula
Silverstream Falls is Coromandel heartland. Located in the Whenuakite River Catchment of the Coromandel Ranges the land has aspects north and east. Higher land looks north down to Whitianga Harbour or east across to the Pacific Ocean and Alderman Islands. Hidden within are streams, falls, bush and relics or days when kauri was milled and gum was dug up here.
Through the foresight of Peter Kendall and his family, 180 hectares of the best bush and wetland has been brought under the protection of Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Open Space Covenants. More than 160 ha of the protected area contains regionally significant vegetation. It connects the indigenous coastal forest of DOC's Conservation Park at Lynch's Stream and Sailors Grave with the hill country forests already under QEII Open Space Covenant to the west and DOC Conservation Park on the ranges beyond and on down to the Firth of Thames.
As a result Silverstream Falls sites within a corridor of protection unbroken (except where State Highway 25 passes through on its way from Tairua to Whitianga) and stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the top of the Coromandel Ranges and down to the Thames Coast.
With careful attention to detail each parcel of land has been created to offer its new owners a place within this continuous indigenous habitat - a well-located house site served with sensitively positioned vehicle access. Each parcel offers a different area and configuration of open space for productive use or for further enhancement of the bush habitat according to owner preference. House sites will suit a variety of tastes - nestled into bush or in settings with views out.
The QEII Trust Covenant achieves aspirations of Ngati Hei ancestors as expressed by Reupena Tahura in 1872 when he told the Native Land Court that his relatives wanted to set aside land here for Native Reserve.
Silverstream Falls is a development that reflects the joy and enthusiasm of those of us fortunate to be part of its creative energy. It brings together the best of what Coromandel can offer.
Places are now available to fulfil dreams of new generations.
Graeme Lawrence
Environmental Planner & Director
Lawrence Cross Chapman & Co LTD
Land and Soil Type
The subdivision is on hilly land with flat to undulating slopes on the hill tops and on some
hill sides. In places, steep slopes lead down to rocky bottomed streams which flow all
year round. Vegetation ranges from pasture to scrub and to older bush. As a result the
subdivision provides a variety of aspects to the sun and a variety of environments for
growing. The slopes provide cold air drainage and the temperature is moderated by
being relatively near the sea. These conditions suit the growing of temperate and sub-
tropical plants.
Soil types on the flatter slopes are outstanding. They are the Whitianga silt loam and
classified as yellow-brown loams (allophonic soils). This soil is formed from volcanic ash
from Mayor Island and is about 60 cm of well drained, friable silt loam on moderately
drained volcanic clay loam. These are similar to the soils sought after for the growing of
kiwifruit and avocados. As a result of their excellent physical properties the soils can be
used to grow a wide range of crops. Far more than can be grown on moderately or
poorer drained soil types. Because of their excellent physical properties, these ash soils
are also ideal for vegetable growing. Their soil structure is well suited to digging and
cultivation even when wet. A soil test has shown that, as expected, they are low in
phosphate but have adequate reserves of all the other major nutrients.
On the steeper slopes the soils can either be thin, silty ash on clay loams from older
volcanic material, or clay loams.
Non-covenanted areas can be used to grow crops, either by planting within the areas of
scrub so as to provide shelter, planting within the bush so as to reproduce the growing
conditions of the plant's original habitat (e.g. avocados or macadamia nuts), or planting
in the open.
It would be unusual to find a subdivision on the Coromandel which offered such a
diverse range of environments and also had a highly versatile soil type. To the north
and on the west coast of the Coromandel peninsular the soils are more clayey, not so
well drained and the aspect is often not as favorable. Anyone serious about growing or
self-sufficiency should give this subdivision serious consideration.
Dr P.L. Singleton
Soil Scientist
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