The Paradise Trust is having second thoughts about how to spend the insurance payout from the loss of its historic homestead in a fire last year.
Instead of a new building, it may spend the money on a pest eradication programme to bring back native birds.
After the trust's 133-year-old homestead was destroyed by fire last May, members embarked on a hectic five-month programme to restore the property's guest capacity.
Trust chairman Tom Pryde says the plan then was to get a new building designed, built and open within two years.
But with four other building projects unexpectedly ''ticked off'' within five months of the fire and cashflow largely restored, ''that pressure has gone away and we're now free to take a longer view''.
The insurance settlement was not tagged to a new building, and trust members were now debating the best direction for the trust's future development.
When it came to guest capacity, how much was too much, Mr Pryde asked.
One option was to invest in a major pest eradication programme to encourage native birds back to the property.
''We could make that aspect of Paradise magnificent.''
He expected members to decide on the best way forward within the next 12 months.
Mr Pryde said although the property's guest capacity exceeded its pre-fire level last summer, cancelled bookings after the fire meant revenue had been down on previous years.
Now the word was out that the property was back up and running, he was ''very optimistic'' revenue this summer would match or exceed pre-fire levels.
The 129ha property is used as an accommodation facility, education centre and venue for weddings and social events.
