Nothing much more was made of this request until the 1950s when the area was in demand from holiday makers wanting to picnic and camp on the domain. The bach owners refused to vacate the domain, and in October 1954 the Crown solicitor was instructed to prepare papers for taking legal action against the tenants. In October 1957 the case went before the Magistrates Court which found for the tenants. The Crown took the case to the Supreme Court, which found for the Crown because building baches on land set aside for recreation was contrary to the proclaimed purpose of a domain and the board did not have the power to authorise these buildings.

By December 1958 all the baches had been removed and the board were free to promote, develop and manage the domain as they wanted. Prior to 1937, the tenants were useful to the board because they provided revenue and free labour on the domain. After the World War Two, increasing demand for holiday places ensured that the tenants would no longer be wanted on the domain. It was thought that campers would provide more revenue than a small group of bach owners.

To develop the domain the board required revenue and this was initially found through cattle grazing. The building of a road through the domain increased its use and the need for more amenities. The board’s 1956 management plan identified extensive plans for development. The costs of these developments soon became too much for the board, which sought increasing financial assistance from the Tauranga County Council.

These financial problems were exacerbated by the increasing popularity of Bowentown as a holiday destination. Despite the board’s building programmes, amenities on the domain were under increasing pressure in the 1960s. Evidence of Bowentown’s popularity can be found in local newspapers and tourist material of the time. The board again looked to the council for assistance, which, in turn, looked to the Crown. The Crown decided to delay any immediate action and requested that all parties involved draw up plans for future management of the area. In 1971 a development plan was completed that had a number of objectives which would require more funds to achieve. Many of these objectives were never carried out. The plan did, however, emphasise the need for integrated management so that environmental, financial and cultural needs could be bettered addressed.

In 1976 control of the domain was transferred to the Tauranga County Council. The domain also ceased to be Crown land, and ownership was vested in the council. This means that, under current policy, it is no longer available to be returned to Maori ownership as part of any Crown settlement negotiated for the Tauranga claims. In recent times, local government reforms have made the Tauranga County Council part of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, which now administers the reserve.

For much of its existence the board failed to produce a plan of approach to managing the domain which would balance the cultural, environment and financial requirements. Whether this failure to produce a balanced plan was due to a lack of interest, ability or direction from the Crown is difficult to identify. The consequences, however, are more readily identifiable.