Dave Whittaker's 'Amazing' Story

Dave Whittaker, a geologist, mining engineer and world traveller originally from the UK, arrived in Golden Bay around 15 years ago ……. and stayed!

Soon after his arrival he discovered a unique two hectare outcrop of karst limestone rock just outside of the Takaka Township. He subsequently leased this from the council and proceeded to turn it into a magical wonderland for the education and enjoyment of locals and tourists alike. Around 3 km of maze like pathways were created amidst the natural rock sculptures, native trees and shrubs were planted to enhance the environment and a magical world of gnomes, fairies, trolls and the like evolved to surprise and delight all those who ventured within!

The Labyrinth Rocks Park became an iconic attraction in Golden Bay and Dave become lovingly known as “The Keeper of the Rocks”.

Over the years of developing this very popular venture he became vitally interested in promoting Golden Bay Tourism …… and it was at a Promotions Board meeting some five years ago that we had the good fortune to meet this amazing man.

Dave was generous in his encouragement as we developed our Naked Possum venture and he never doubted that we too could create an iconic tourism attraction in Golden Bay ….. despite our isolation and distance from the main road!
During this time he enthusiastically sent many tourists out our way while also keeping us well supplied with young nikau seedlings for our tree nursery.

A year ago Dave was diagnosed with terminal cancer and, as he was unable to interest the local Council in taking over the maintenance of the limestone park, he decided to close his attraction down and to invest a good chunk of his savings into re-financing The Naked Possum. …… where his memory, and the remnant reminders of his Labyrinth, will now forever live on!

We have shared many wonderful times here together at The Naked Possum over the past year and during that time Dave has created a tranquil nikau haven beside the river at the entrance to the Kaituna walking track. A special place for all to enjoy.

While he was here planting the nikau seedlings for his own memorial grove we discussed our many special customers who have succumbed to cancer in recent times. Grant and I came up with the idea of creating a living memorial walkway along the 500 metre roadway walk to the main track entrance …… beautifying a weed chocked strip of council reserve land between the road and river in the process.

“A rata tree will be donated by The Naked Possum to all cancer sufferers who would like to have a tree planted in their memory and their families will be encouraged to plant, and then to nurture those trees as they grow”.

Dave decided that he would create a Charitable Trust so that the interest earned on his investment into our venture could then be directed back into health and cancer care in the Golden Bay community. He named the trust “The Naked Possum Community Charitable Trust” because he felt that our venture was a community asset worth promoting and because he knew that we had the desire, and the potential, to contribute to the growth of his aspirations for the trust long after his departure.

He officially handed the Trust over to the chairman, Devon McLean, at the Topp Twin show held at The Naked Possum Café on the 17th of January 2009 ….. a very memorable occasion for all who attended.