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An uplift in the north
ASB Trusts has granted Te Araroa Trust $100,000 towards trail work between Cape Reinga and Mercer.
The 712-km section is about 25% of the track's total length, and is expected to cost a further $1.4 million, with an end-of-2008 date for completion.
"This $100,000 from the ASB Trusts is a great start to our final three-year time-line for putting the northern leg in place," said Te Araroa's Geoff Chapple.
The route begins at Cape Reinga, goes down Ninety Mile Beach, crosses from Ahipara to Kerikeri through four DOC forests, to Whangarei, then mainly follows the eastern coast to Auckland. South of Auckland, the trail unwinds through the Hunua Range, then cuts along the Mangatawhiri River to Mercer.
Major construction on the Cape Reinga - Mercer section began in 2002, said Chapple, when Te Araroa Trust completed a 15 kilometre trail across the Herekino Forest inland from Ahipara. The trust, its regional Auckland trust, or councils acting alone have since built or signed another six connecting trails.
Te Araroa Trust has tracked the Kerikeri River from SH 10 to Rainbow Falls. The Whangarei District Council has tracked Mt Aubrey. Te Araroa Trust and Rodney Disrict Council have together taken the track from Pakiri to Mt Tamahunga, behind Leigh. Te Araroa Auckland Trust has worked with the North Shore City Council to open the North Shore City Coastal walk, and with Auckland City to sign through the existing Auckland Coast to Coast walk. By agreement with Watercare the recently-opened Manukau foreshore walk is now also part of the trail.
Te Araroa Auckland Trust working with Rodney District Council and the Warkworth Area office of DoC will soon open an 11 km section from Govan Wilson Road to the Dome, and though no opening date is yet set, the 12-km track up Manukau City's Puhinui Stream to Totara park is steadily going ahead with volunteer labour. Three bridges have been put in place, and thousands of lowland seedlings planted. Te Araroa workers and Manukau City planners have also figured out the route between Totara Park and Clevedon. A memorandum of agreement just signed with Auckland Regional Authority allows for existing bush trails at Wenderholm and the Hunas to be brought into the trail route.
As well, said Chapple, negotiation was going on in half a dozen separate areas of the Cape Reinga to Mercer section.
"The $100,000 will help enormously with the inevitable costs of such negotiation, and with more trail construction."
ASB Trusts CEO Jennifer Gill said the project is already a massive achievement.
"Using volunteer labour the trust has managed to achieve a great deal, with over 60% of the proposed national trail already identified as walkable," she said.
The project meets ASB Trusts' funding criteria because it protects and enhances the environment by educating people about our natural heritage. The recreation, leisure and health benefits associated with walking also match the not-for-profit funder's objectives.
"It's part of our legacy for the region," she said.
Each month the ASB Trusts grants money to community groups working in education, the arts, sport, recreation, health and social services areas. It is part of about $50 million given to community groups in Auckland and Northland each year.
Founded on the sale of shares in the ASB bank, the ASB Trusts has granted more than $400m since being formed in 1988. Any incorporated or charitable trust can apply for funds, provided they are a not-for-profit organisation. For more details about applying, visit the ASB Trusts' website: www.asbtrusts.org.nz
