Mason Fitzgerald plays a major part of the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve (KRR) legacy as CEO of the non-profit organisation. With a family connection to the region that spans generations, Mason talks to Nelson Magazine about what the Reserve means to him and the phenomenal work KRR undertake to preserve it for the future.
Can you tell us what it means to now be in your CEO role?
The Reserve has been the centre of my family holidays for as long as I can remember, right back to when my grandparents started coming here in their younger days. It’s a surreal feeling to now be entrusted with leading the Reserve and continuing to build on the potential of this amazing place and ensuring it’s here for generations to enjoy, just like I have experienced.
As an outfit that is strongly focused on the community what are some challenges of being a self-funding, crown-owned entity?
As a 100% self-funding model, the Reserve is completely reliant on the support of our locals and visitors. Every dollar that is spent across our many offerings goes back into preserving, protecting, and improving the area and environment we all love. Being crown-owned is a challenge as we have restrictions on financial lending. This is where our incredible volunteer network chips in and there is no doubt in my mind that we wouldn’t be what we are without these amazingly generous people.
What underpins the values of Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve, and why are these important?
These primarily speak to the responsibility we have to provide guardianship, protection and the preservation of our taonga for the land and sea we are blessed to care for. The other significant purpose is whanaungatanga, and that is simply sharing our memorable experiences, strengthening each other and our community for the benefit of generations to follow.
What upcoming projects does the team have planned?
For the last three years we have been working with our local WSP firm on a Destination and Spatial Master Plan in terms of improving our visitor experience, carparking, spatial layout, recreational areas, cultural representation, and storytelling - watch this space.
How can we help to continue protecting this precious commodity?
The Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve covers more than 250ha of land and includes the campground, apartments, On the Spot store, Waterfront Restaurant, mountain bike park, surrounding forestry, beach/foreshore, Kākā Point Historic Reserve and island, and the estuary. The Reserve is such an incredibly special and unique place to be enjoyed by everyone.
People can support us through volunteering, tree planting donations, fundraising, staying in our many accommodation offerings or simply getting a pie and an ice-cream from our store, every bit counts and helps us keep this Reserve the beautiful slice of paradise it is!
