The structure and operation of the HDT has come in for much unwanted criticism over the last three years.
This has been generated largely by self-interested people whose only advantage has been protecting something they perceived as being totally theirs. One of these households used the river esplanade as a pig farming and farrowing area. We were able to extend the trail 100metres along the esplanade because it was controlled by TCDC. Because of pressure from the trail team the pigs are no longer grazing there. The regeneration of the salt marsh and other species is huge and very noticeable. This was one of our major arguments all along.  If we could get access to these areas the public would demand an improvement of the ecology and that has proven to be true.
A great example is the elimination of all the 0leagnus that was rampant at observation point and last year John, Peter, Cliff and Janet killed off a large area of Woolly nightshade and privet.
The sad part is that the guardian of the next section is DOC, and they are completely lacking in courage to protect a community resource that they have been entrusted to protect.
 
The HDT has offered to restructure itself to better suit the role it now has in the community. To this end it has asked Gary Prince and John Hindmarsh and others they deem as suitable to present a plan as to how the new HDT should operate and what its structure should look like.
 
What has the HDT achieved in the last 20 years ?
They for 10 years ran very successful Concerts in the Orchard that contributed over $20,000 for the Hikuai school
                    Several thousand for the Pauanui coast Guard
                    Financial contributions  to   LandSAR
                    Over $120,000   to the  Westpac rescue Helicopter Trust
 
Since 2012 they have constructed a community based cycle/walk trail that has been valued at $2,000,000 .
This community asset has an annual usage of over 25,000. It is maintained by the trail committee led by Gary Prince. It has the unique feature that to my knowledge no other trail has and that is community ownership.
For example: The numerous people (all volunteers) who plant and maintain the garden areas. The team led by Peter and Linda Millen who control the predators.

The maintenance crew.
 Jeanette Waters leads by example her tree and plant beautification program and is ably assisted by Anne and Kim
The great job done by Lyndsay Heaven spraying weeds and the excellent job done by Peter Maxwell on bridge approaches.  These two are an excellent example of members of the community who saw a job that needed doing and just do it.

I would like to acknowledge the very professional job that Bill Witt has done for several years as the trusts financial officer. I cannot thank Bill enough for the thoroughly efficient job he has done. He will be missed. We are so grateful for the contribution that Derryck Adams has made. His tact and discretion are wonderful assets. He has been ably assisted by Gavin, Vanessa and Andy in our endeavour to progress the trail.  I would like to acknowledge the wonderful job done by the rest of the committee. Ably led by Gary Prince and assisted by Derryck Adams, Bill Witt, Andy Bolton, Robert and Jan Van Kampen,  John MacKenzie,  Storm Waters, Fred Crawford, Terry Kingham,  Peter Millen.   I genuinely welcome  Amy  Tamihere  to our team. Her knowledge of iwi protocol will be invaluable.
 
To the HDT trustees Tim Hart,  Anne Fowler,  Jeanette Waters & Kim Coppersmith thankyou for your support and guidance
 
The HDT has accumulated over $200,000 worth of assets part of which is a section of land adjacent to the Fowler property that will serve as a permanent base.  This land has been donated by the Fowlers.
The present bank balance is very strong just over $270,000
 
Gary Fowler
Chairman Hikuai District Trust

Trail News and Maintenance: With schools open again at the beginning of February and new Covid settings in place for businesses, visitor number dropped in the area which is reflected in the Trail’s usage numbers.
Investigations into attainable options for the construction of the remaining sections of the Trail to Tairua continue, as do consultations with stakeholders and effected parties. Maintenance work of the existing Trail and planted areas is ongoing thanks to our team of dedicated volunteers.
 
Predator Control:  The following pests were eradicated over February / March period
16 Rats
2 Possums
2 x Stoats
30 x Good Nature Kills
30 bait stations emptied
A graph showing seasonal pest kill rates is available on our website.
 
Trail Usage Counter:  3 February 22 – 6 March 22 - 2333.
That equates to an average 75 trips a day for the reporting period.
 
Funding: We continue to receive donations and sponsorships from our Trail supporters.
The development of a Funding Plan for stage 4 will be explored once we have some certainty of
a route.
 
Trail Stage 3: Work on Stage 3 is halted at this time while viable options for a way forward and are
investigated.
 
Trail Stage 4: Planning work and consultations with TCDC, WRC, DoC, Iwi, HNZ, adjoining land owners and
other effected groups along the proposed route to Tairua are ongoing. Finalising the route and the production of a plan for this section of the Trail on the Northern side of the river and harbour is now a priority for the Team.
The Coromandel Cycle Collective is developing into a valuable resource for all Trail planners &
builders throughout the Coromandel region

Trail News and Maintenance: Christmas, New Year and 2 public holidays saw the expected influx of visitors to Pauanui and the surrounding area. The weather was generally great which resulted in crowded beaches, a
very busy shopping centre and a lot of people on the Trail. It was good to meet with the Committee after a 2 month break and catch up with ongoing Trail maintenance and various meetings that had taken place with stakeholders and other interested or effected individuals and groups in the area. It is apparent that we need to gauge the true level of support to continue the Trail to Hikuai from local communities. This will be carried out once an appropriate method has been agreed with all concerned. In the meantime we will investigate attainable options for the construction of the remaining sections of the Trail. A challenging year ahead seems inevitable.

Predator Control: The following pests were eradicated over December / January period
24 Rats
2 x Stoats
6 Hedgehogs
1 Rabbit
9 x Good Nature Kills
25 bait stations emptied
A graph showing seasonal pest kill rates is available on our website.

​Trail Usage Counter: 22 Nov 21 – 3 February 22 – 15,495.
That equates to an average 250 trips a day. This is an increase of approx. 100 users per day
compared to a similar period last year. These numbers stack up well against some of the
country’s major Trails.

Funding: TCDC have provided the Trail with a 3 year funding package principally aimed at the
development of Stage 4 and maintenance of the existing Trail. We continue to receive donations and sponsorships from our Trail supporters.

Trail Stage 3: It does appear that there will be no change from the current position that we are faced with in
relation to progressing the Trail along the DoC controlled Marginal Strip adjacent to the Tairua
River. We will now embark on developing a strategy that will provide a link to Stage 4.

Trail Stage 4: Planning work and consultations with TCDC, WRC, DoC, Iwi, adjoining land owners and other
effected groups along the proposed route to Tairua are ongoing. Finalising the route and the production of a plan for this section of the Trail on the Northern side of the river and harbour is now a priority for the Team.

We look forward to working with other members of the Coromandel Cycle Collective to enhance
the experience of all Trail users throughout the Coromandel region

Trail News and Maintenance: - With the new Covid-19 Traffic Light system in place and the imminent freedom for those living in the Auckland region we anticipate a busy Christmas / New Year period in the Coromandel
region. We hope that the rules are followed so that everyone can enjoy themselves without affecting the enjoyment and safety of others.
 
I would like to thank the Hikuai District Trust, Committee Members, Stakeholders, Supporters and all Trail users for the goodwill and continued effort over what has been a challenging year. The Trail is in pretty good shape so let’s get out and make the most of what it has to offer. I would like to think that, with the goodwill of all concerned, next year will see the completion of Stage 3 to Hikuai and the planning of the Stage 4 route to Tairua well advanced.
 
Predator Control:
The following pests were eradicated over November / December period
8 Rats
3 Possums
4 x Stoat
9 x Good Nature Kills
7 bait stations emptied
A graph showing seasonal pest kill rates is available on our website.
​
Trail Usage Counter - the counter was reset on 15 Nov 21. Count to 22/11/21 - 680
 
Funding:  24 m3 of Firewood has been sold
We continue to receive donations and sponsorships from Trail supporters.
 
Trail Stage 3 Progress: Progress along the Marginal Strip adjacent to the Tairua River is still currently halted at the boundary between TCDC and DoC administered land. Work with stakeholders to find a way forward, continues.
 
Trail Stage 4 and beyond: Planning work and consultations with Local and Regional Councils, DoC, Iwi and adjoining land owners along the proposed route from Hikuai to Tairua continues. The proposed route will be released to the general public for comment once these initial consultations have concluded.
 
Other: Two of our team featured in the Experience Pauanui and Pauanui Sports and Recreation Club 2021 Volunteer Service Awards this year. Credit goes to all those volunteers who are actively involved in the many aspects of planning, building, maintaining and enhancing the Trail.
 
The Coromandel Trail Collective continues to evolve.
We look forward to working with other members of the Collective to enhance the experience of all Trail users throughout the Coromandel region

Trail News and Maintenance: Once again Covid-19 is featuring in all of our daily lives to some extent. I hope you are all keeping safe and managing a tolerable life as we all move toward a new normal. We are all
pondering just what the Christmas holiday period will bring to our region this year. The Hikuai District Trust is currently undergoing a review that is aimed at creating an organisation that will better meet the needs of the Pauanui Tairua Trail going forward. I would like to thank the committee members and stakeholders who are involved, for their efforts and the dedication they are showing to the task. The Trail has continued to be well used and supported over the reporting period.

Website: The website and Facebook page update is ongoing.

Predator Control:  The following pests were eradicated from July 19th July - October 30th period:
11 x Rats
4 Possums
1 x Stoat
23 x Good Nature Kills
39 bait stations emptied
The 10 new DoC200 traps purchased are yet to be sited
A graph showing seasonal pest kill rates is available on our website.

Trail Usage Counter: 7300 passes for the period 19th July – 30th October.

Funding: TCDC have extended their generous funding package for the next 2 years.
WRC have granted funds for our pest control program. 12 m3 of Firewood has been sold
We continue to receive donations and sponsorships from the Trail supporters.

Trail Stage 3 Progress: Progress along the Marginal Strip adjacent to the Tairua River is still currently halted at the
boundary between TCDC and DoC administered land. Work with stakeholders to find a way
forward, continues. Fencing work along the realigned road boundary and the Trail construction work in the road
reserve from Prescott’s Garage towards Pauanui has been put on hold until the New Year. Heritage NZ has accepted our archaeological strategy for this work.

Trail Stage 4 and beyond: Planning work and consultations with Local and Regional Councils, Iwi and adjoining land
owners along the proposed route from Hikuai to Tairua has continued. The route will be released to the general public for comment once this stage of our consultations has been concluded.

The Coromandel Trail Collective continues to evolve. We look forward to working with the other members of the Collective to enhance the experience of all Trail users throughout the Coromandel