Source: Radio New Zealand
Bowling club president Simon Munro says generations have enjoyed the beloved green space in the central west suburb. RNZ / Jessica Hopkins
The Hallyburton Johnstone Sports Club – home to lawn bowling, croquet, and tennis in Auckland’s Point Chevalier – has used the same block of land for almost 100 years, but there are now fears for the future after an Anglican Trust raised questions about who owns that land.
Members of the community sports club, including Kiwis head coach Stacey Jones, have said it is an important space for the entire community.
Bowling club President Simon Munro said the land was donated by farmer Hallyburton Johnstone in 1927.
A New Zealand Herald article from 3 August of that year spoke of the “generous gift of Johnstone’s fine old home and over four acres of property”.
Bowls Club president Simon Munro points out Hallyburton Johnstone, who donated his land in Point Chevalier in 1927 to be used for community sports and recreation. RNZ / Jessica Hopkins
Munro said the farmer wanted the land – where he once lived – to be used as a community sports area, administered by a public club.
Since then, generations have enjoyed the beloved green space in the central west suburb.
“It’s not just playing bowls, playing croquet, playing tennis, even though we’ve got about 1000 members across all three clubs, but it’s the wider benefits that we’ve been providing the community,” said Munro.
“Since the local RSA closed down a few years ago, their members now use our club rooms for their veterans days, committee meetings, and we hold the Anzac Parade every year as well.”
There was also a volunteer-run community garden at the site, which was used by local schools.
The community garden at the Hallyburton Johnstone Sports Club in Point Chevalier. RNZ / Jessica Hopkins
So he was shocked to learn the Anglican Trust for Women and Children, which he said was a beneficiary of Hallyburton Johnston’s estate, was questioning whether it was also entitled to the sports club land.
He believed the trust was considering developing the land, which had a council capital value of $5.15 million, for a purpose other than community sports.
“It was a big shock. You know, you go through all of the emotions, and anger is certainly one of them.
“What we now know is that the Anglican Trust for Women and Children potentially wants to develop the land for housing, which goes completely against what Hallyburton Johnstone intended for this land to provide, which is the benefits of sports and recreation.”
He said Johnstone also gifted part of his Point Chevalier land to the Anglican Church, which sold it in 2017.
The sports bar at the Hallyburton Johnstone Sports Club in Point Chevalier. RNZ / Jessica Hopkins
New Zealand Kiwis head coach Stacey Jones was a frequent flyer at the club, coming most weeks.
He supported keeping the site the way it was.
“I just enjoy the social part, I go down there and watch the sports. I like to have a quiet beer. I don’t have to go down there with any friends or ring them up, I can go on my own and just enjoy a quiet space.
“It’s such a wonderful place and creates a really good vibe for the community. Every generation of people can enjoy that space, not just the bowlers and the older people, but the young ones.
“It just needs to stay.”
The croquet field at the Hallyburton Johnstone Sports Club in Point Chevalier. RNZ / Jessica Hopkins
Long-time bowling club member 75-year-old Kevin Morris said the club was a popular place for families as well.
“In terms of the bowling club, we’ve got a huge social membership because it’s the hub of the community.
“The demographics of the area have changed in recent years, with families coming in with young children. We’re a welcoming club with a children’s playground, and we never ban children. We’re more likely to ban adults generally because of intoxication, but that doesn’t happen very often.”
Long-time bowls club member Kevin Murray. RNZ / Jessica Hopkins
The bowling club’s hospitality manager Krystal Stevens said knowing they could lose their space had been difficult.
“It kind of hits you more in the heart because you know how much this place means to the locals, to the community.
“To see that being threatened is quite sad because there’s nowhere else in Point Chev or the surrounding areas quite like this.”
The Anglican Trust declined RNZ’s request for an interview, but confirmed it was “seeking clarification on the ownership of the land”.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
