Own a Piece of Pukekura Park's History | infonews.co.nz New Zealand News

Three iconic pieces of Pukekura Park are put up for sale.

The Council is selling three wooden clinker boats which have been retired from the park’s fleet.

“These ones have been repaired so often over the years that to make them useable again would cost far too much, so we’re offering them up for anyone who is keen to have a piece of the park’s history in their back yard,” says Curator Pukekura Park Chris Connolly.

“They no longer float, so don’t expect to be able to use them in a private lake; however they’ll make great garden features.”

Late last year the Council began replacing unusable wooden clinker boats with moulded plastic versions in the same style. The new boats have worked well on the lake and cost much less to maintain.

Of the wooden boats retired last year, one is in the otter enclosure at Brooklands Zoo and one is used as a prop in displays in the Fernery and Display Houses. Another boat will soon become a feature at the East End Reserve playground.

Boating has taken place on the park’s main lake for more than a century. “Generations of people have rowed on the lake in these wooden clinker boats and this is a unique opportunity to own one,” says Mr Connolly.

The boats are being sold individually from today (Monday) through TradeMe with a $1 reserve. The auction of the two 4m boats and one 5m boat will run for seven days.