The Hikuai District Trust Has now opened the first 4km of a cycleway and walking track that enables cyclists and walkers to get from Pauanui to Awa Whio Whio (Duck Creek). Eventually users will travel between Pauanui and Tairua in safety. The track will follow where feasible the banks of the scenic Tairua estuary.
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The track continues from the end of the existing Coastal Walkway track and joins a bridge over Tangiteroria Stream, following the estuary and then the south eastern side of the Tairua River up to Awa Whio Whio . The next stage will be to the old one lane Hikuai Bridge close to the Hikuai School then proceed down the North Western side of the Tairua River and estuary and link up with public access way from the Tairua Primary School.
Resource Consent had been granted to take the Trail as far as Awa Whio Whio. The next stage of Resource Consent Applications will commence in 2016 . The Hikuai District Trust is the registered trust that was the vehicle that ran the very successful Concert in the Orchard which raised $150,000.00 for the local community. The track continues from the end of the existing Coastal Walkway track and joins a bridge over Tangiteroria Stream, following the estuary and then the south eastern side of the Tairua River up to Awa Whio Whio . |
We know the cycleway will be an asset to the community.
In part of the earlier district plan the community said: A picturesque river that we have no easy access to. This wonderful asset should be developed, especially in the lower regions below the old bridge They also expressed a desire that the old Hikuai bridge be retained. |
Stage One NEARLY COMPLETED
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Stage One of the trail is close to completion and is now open for use. There will still be some work undertaken on this portion of the trail during 2016, when funding becomes available. The trail generally follows flat or slightly undulating country and also negotiates a headland following a previously formed route. Additional work will be undertaken to ensure a safe bench is achieved to meet grade 2 cycle trail standards.
Easement agreements have been signed with two private land owners whose co operation and support is greatly appreciated. This stage of the Pauanui Tairua Trail will conclude near where Duck Creek meets Hikuai Settlement Road opposite The Lakes Golf Course. Professional expertise is being employed to provide accurate detailed site assessments within the construction zone of the trail. Comprehensive site knowledge combined with experienced natural resource, engineering and trail construction expertise will ensure works are undertaken in a manner sympathetic to the natural environment. The Trail Committee is in regular communication with the Thames Coromandel District Council, the Waikato Regional Council and the Department of Conservation, with regards to the trail. |
Plan for the cycleway
Facilities
Construction
We feel that this track will not only provide safe access between the two communities of Tairua and Pauanui for residents of all ages, it will be a huge asset in encouraging visitors to the area and will provide a spectacular tourist attraction that will compliment the Hauraki Rail Trail project. It would also give access to the Puketui Valley mining sites that are popular with tourists and visitors.
- Litter and weed control will be managed by the cycleway operator.
- Screen planting will be provided where required to protect the privacy of property owners.
Construction
- Total track length 25 km
- The trail will be a compacted gravel surface, approximately 2.5m wide
- Where there is TCDC requirement to fence the fencing will be erected on the land side of the trail.
- Bridges will be 1.5m wide
We feel that this track will not only provide safe access between the two communities of Tairua and Pauanui for residents of all ages, it will be a huge asset in encouraging visitors to the area and will provide a spectacular tourist attraction that will compliment the Hauraki Rail Trail project. It would also give access to the Puketui Valley mining sites that are popular with tourists and visitors.
Project status
- The Trust is currently preparing applications to various organisations for funding.
- The Waikato Regional Council has granted resource consent
- The Trust has the pledge from two local contractors of assistance.
- There is a large pool of local volunteers willing to be involved.
- Local iwi have been consulted.
- The Hikuai District Trust has appointed a committee of local people to organise this venture.
Project team
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Ian Hopper (died 13th January 2016)
'Vision achieved- life fulfilled' The Team would like to acknowledge Ian Hopper's significant influence in bringing the dream of a trail to reality. Over the last few years as Ian's health was failing he still took an interest in the Trail and his input both as a mentor and a financial contributor will be remembered with gratitude. Ian and Tony Hopper developed Pauanui from bare land in the late 1960's. Ian had the foresight to propose the cycleway ten years ago. He started by building the initial kilometre from the Waterways, much of this in boardwalks over the mangroves. His vision for this track was instrumental in getting the project underway. Gary and Anne Fowler Gary and Anne formed the Hikuai District Trust ten years ago so they could fundraise for the local community. During that time with their successful Concerts in the Orchard on their property. they raised $150,000 distributed amongst many worthwhile community groups including Rescue Helicopter Service, Surf life Saving, Pauanui Playcentre to name a few. Now with a very loyal team they are undertaking the fundraising and construction of the cycleway. Gary and Anne own a farm on the road into Pauanui and could see that a safe trail was needed for the many cyclists and runners using the busy road. Kim Coppersmith Secretary of the Hikuai District Trust and an elected member of the Tairua-Pauanui Community Board of the Thames Coromandel District Council. Together with her husband Bryan, Kim has supported the Trust since its inception. Kim's expertise at keeping us all on track at meetings and being able to efficiently keep all of the paperwork up to date and on tap is nothing short of miraculous. Jeanette Waters Jeanette is the Fundraising Coordinator and creator of this website. Along with her husband Peter they bought their first section in Pauanui in 1974. Jeanette was a yacht broker in Half Moon Bay and then for 23 years sold real estate in the area. She decided that it was time to give back to a community that have given their family such great holidays and was motivated by the enthusiasm of firstly Ian Hopper and then Gary Fowler to get this Trail underway. Jeanette is thrilled every time some kind person gives money to the trail and makes her job a bit easier. |
Fred Crawford
Fred and his wife Shirley nee Prescott, a well known family name in the area have lived here for many years. Fred has given tirelessly to many activities in Pauanui including the Volunteer Fire Brigade, Search and Rescue and Rescue Helicopter Service. Retired mechanic ex army --he has developed lots of walking tracks in the area. Fred is an intrinsic part of the team and has put in many hours of hard physical work along with his workmate John McKenzie, to get this project underway Fred 'just gets the job done without a fuss'. Every committee needs a Fred. Andy Bolton Andy isn't sure how he got involved with Trail construction in early 2015. He probably went out along the trail to see what was happening and was put to work. Andy was introduced to Pauanui in 1978 by his girlfriend and now wife Sue Christie. Sue's family had camped at the south end of Pauanui when it was still farmland and forest. Andy and Sue purchased their present home in 2001 and moved back to NZ from Perth in 2011. Andy trained as an engineer involved in construction and maintenance of offshore oil and gas facilities . Most of his career was spent working from marine construction vessels using divers and robotic intervention as they went deeper and deeper to install, repair or maintain these facilities. Who knows with Andy on board 'an under river tunnel' could soon be included in the future Trail plans. Peter Millen Peter and his wife Linda are now permanent residents in Pauanui They owned a boatbuilding business in Half Moon Bay, Auckland for 35years. Since they sold the business and retired Peter is still doing a few small boatbuilding jobs locally as long as they don't interfere too much with golf and fishing. Peter and Linda were keen to get involved with the local community and we are delighted to have Peter's expertise and enthusiasm on our committee and out on the Trail. Deb Knox Deb is the Trust treasurer and an indispensable team member. She works full time as a travel consultant and lives permanently in Pauanui. If she doesn't give me a bit of information soon I will have to make it up. |
Contact and contributions
Email Gary Fowler at garyannef@xtra.co.nz or contribute online our bank account held at Westpac Thames 03 0458 0277108 00
Hikuai District Trust, we are a registered charitable trust. All donations very gratefully received and used for materials on the track we are constructing now .
Hikuai District Trust, we are a registered charitable trust. All donations very gratefully received and used for materials on the track we are constructing now .
