A civic ceremony will be held at 1 pm this Saturday (21 May) to officially name and open Bob Byrne Reserve in Ōhope.

The naming of the new public space to the east of the Seascape subdivision at Port Ōhope recognises the significant contributions made by former Mayor and Borough and District Councillor Bob Byrne to the wider community. The naming and opening ceremony will include speeches from Mayor Tony Bonne and Bob Byrne, along with a number of family-oriented activities. 

Mayor Bonne says a reserve in this location had been earmarked as early as 2006, during the development of the Port Ōhope Concept Plan, with public consultation showing a desire from stakeholders and community members to maintain a green corridor running from the harbour to the ocean.

“It was the sale and development of the land for the Seascape Subdivision that instigated the process for establishing a public reserve in this location,” he says. “The design was based on the initial Port Ōhope Concept Plan and was undertaken by Opus International Consultants, with construction and improvements completed in 2015 with the assistance of Fulton Hogan and the Good Garden Company.” 

Bob Byrne was a Councillor on the former Whakatāne Borough Council from 1971 till 1976, including three years as Deputy Mayor, and then served as an elected member of the District Council from 1976 till 1989, the final three years as Mayor following an earlier term as Deputy Mayor. He is well-remembered by many for his outstanding leadership following the devastating Edgecumbe earthquake of 1987, and his committed service to a number of local clubs and societies over the years.