November 2020 - Update

Trail News and Maintenance
With the ever increasing numbers of people using holiday homes and visiting the Coromandel due to Covid 19, the Trail’s increasing popularity is indicated by the monthly usage numbers. On the 5th December the Pauanui Half Marathon event which utilises the Trail as part of the course will take place. Over 750 participants are expected. The Trail’s surface is being prepared in anticipation of a great event. 300 donated trees from Container Nurseries in Whenuapai have been planted and protected with the donated pipe from Asmus Group. Thanks to the 2 local teenagers who did the bulk of the planting. Weed control and mulching of existing planting is ongoing. Trail users are encouraged to mulch and water trees as they pass. Have a look at our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pauanuitairuatrail/ for details. Congratulations to Jeanette Waters and Mike Spitzer who received awards at the Pauanui Sports and Recreation Club’s Volunteers Service Awards night for their work on the Trail. Look for our workers in their new Hi-Vis work shirts on the Trail and our new Trail tee shirts being worn around the community.

Predator Control: The following pests were eradicated over the reporting period: 2 x possum 1 x rats 1 x Good Nature Kills A graph showing seasonal pest kill rates has been added to our website. Trail Usage Counter 2985 passes for the period 30th October – 29th November.

Funding: The Tairua Trail & Tides Walk had 350 entrants with a donation to come after accounts are finalised. The Sunlover Retreat / Mania Kitchen sponsored event on the 25th November resulted in a $4500 donation to the Trail. Refer to our Website http://www.pauanuitairuatrail.org.nz/contact.html and Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pauanuitairuatrail/ for details.

Trail Stage 3 Progress: Progress along the Marginal Strip adjacent to the Tairua River is currently halted at the boundary between TCDC and DoC administered land. We continue to work with our stakeholders to find a way forward.

Trail Stage 4: We believe our proposal for a walk / cycle way from the Tairua School to the Tairua Cemetery will provide Tairua with a much needed safe access way to the Cemetery area as well as an impressive start / finish point for the Trail to Hikuai. HDT will investigate methodologies to move ahead with this section of the Trail with our stakeholders. Funds raised in Tairua will go toward our efforts here. Health & Safety: Signage and Trail improvements are ongoing to ensure a superior experience by all Trail users.

Other: TCDC have arranged local contractor Matt Groube to remove dead pines and prune dangerous overhanging branches to ensure Trail users have a safe path through the more forested areas of the Trail.