That's weird- It costs me nothing to get a permit here in NZ. Maybe it's only for more busy places like Auckland for example that they charge you. I fly off council land constantly. All I need is a permit, which is always granted.
I actually inquired about this area with the Auckland City Council.
I think the cliffs was accessed through the Mercer Bay Loop Walk. I forget how much but the permit to fly would cost a couple of hundred dollars so I didn't pursue it.
I'm...