Residents have had their say over the future use of the historic Kukupa Side School and Reserve. Photo: Supplied

Residents are proposing to preserve the heritage of a historic, abandoned schoolhouse in Pigeon Bay.

Jo Govern, on behalf of community group Friends of Kukupa, presented plans for the future use of the Kukupa Side School and Reserve to Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula Community Board on Monday, seeking the board’s support in developing the proposal.

The move follows earlier plans by kaupapa Māori mental health provider Purapura Whetū to turn the site into a mental health retreat and camp, which were abandoned in December last year.

The city council had agreed to lease the building to the trust in 2022, but the proposal was met with strong opposition from residents.

Govern told the board the latest proposal had received overwhelming support at a recent community meeting, with 32 people in favour, none against and one abstention.

She said the group wants to preserve the heritage aspects of the deteriorating building, noting that restoring it to a usable condition would be far too expensive.

Govern also wanted to see information panels installed with photographs detailing the history of the building and its role in the community.

She asked that the three adjoining reserves surrounding the former school be managed as a single park for local recreation, with fallen branches, pine trees, broom and other invasive species removed to reduce fire risk.

The reworked park would allow for native planting and the creation of a walking track.

She also requested improved access to the site, including on-site parking, saying nearby Pettigrews Rd is too narrow.

Board chair Lyn Leslie requested advice from council staff on how the community board could assist the group with its plans.