The Department of Conservation has renewed a 30-year concession for the Matthews family’s 1938 crib which stands on what is now conservation land. The crib was used by Hollywood A-lister Brad Pitt in the film Heart of the Beast and also featured in an advertisement for GQ magazine. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED The future of a long-standing private Kinloch crib, sitting on Crown land, remains up in the air. The occupant has yet to sign off on a shortened concession period for it but the Department of Conservation has admitted the building would not stand up to public use and it does not have the money to upgrade it. The crib, believed to have been used by Hollywood A-lister Brad Pitt in his latest movie, had been owned by descendants of the Elliott family for 88 years. The 75sqm building had come to the end of its 30-year concession from the Department of Conservation. Five people who are related to the man who built the crib, Roy Elliott, had applied for another 30-year concession. But the Department of Conservation said, in documents obtained through the Official Information Act by the Otago Daily Times, the applicant had yet to agree to the new concession term. Doc had made an offer of a 10-year concession from this year but the applicants had not replied. The term was for 20 years but it was backdated to 2016 so the new concession would expire in 2036. Carol Ann Evans, Robin Elliott Evans, Rhonda Joan Dunbavan, Michelle Joy Matthews and Clifton Roy Todd were the applicants. In the documents, Doc permissions adviser Kelvin Brown submitted the 30-year concession should be granted. He said Doc staff involved in this decision had to balance ongoing benefit to heritage values, the applicant’s exclusive use and management of the crib in accordance with the department’s policy direction to phase-out private accommodation facilities on public conservation land. The Whakatipu Doc district office had no concerns with this activity continuing, as the applicant had been doing so, as an extended family unit, for decades, the latest under a Reserves Act 1977 lease since 1995. ‘‘The crib is well-maintained by the applicants and does not appear to be having any adverse effects on conservation or recreational values.’’ The Doc Whakatipu district office and heritage adviser also said it would be costly for the department to care for or to remove the structure. ‘‘It was likely that the standard of management would be reduced from the current level due to the district’s limited heritage operating budget.’’ Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki supported a lease for a 15 to 25 year term. Te Rūnanga o Moeraki supported a short-term lease of five years, then removal of the crib. Hokonui Rūnaka, Te Rūnanga o Ōraka-Aparima and Waihōpai Rūnaka could not support the application due to out-of-date documents and Doc may consider phasing out private occupation and use. Te Rūnanga Ōtākou, Te Rūnanga o Awarua, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (Te Rūnanga) did not respond. The applicant made it clear they did not support phasing-in of public use of the crib. The applicant considered the risk of fire, vandalism or other damage to the building, and compromising the heritage values to be too high. Senior Doc management decided to opt for a concession backdated to 2016 for 20 years. The report recommended a concession be granted allowing further private occupation of the crib within a defined lease area. In line with relevant departmental policy, the phasing in of limited public use was considered the best way to protect the heritage values of the crib, while a long-term plan for its future management was considered. The Otago Daily Times has approached one of the applicants for comment.
