October 2020 - Update

Trail News and Maintenance:- The good weather over Labour Weekend showed just how popular the Trail is with the increased numbers recorded on the Trail over the month. Several large groups were out enjoying the experience. A group of Pauanui Mobility Scooter and Golf Cart users requested an outing along the Trail. This took place on Monday 2nd November. Our team is continuing to upgrade the Trail surface as material becomes available.

Predator Control:- The following pests were eradicated over the reporting period: 6 x possum 3 x rats 1 Stoat 19 x Good Nature Kills A graph showing seasonal pest kill rates has been added to our website. Trail Usage Counter 3141 passes for the period 21st September – 29th October.

Funding:- The Tairua Trail & Tides Walk / Run event on 7th Nov and this year’s Pauanui Half Marathon on the 5th December, which will include a section of the Trail in the course, are both generously supporting the Trail. Sunlover Retreat and Mania Kitchen are bringing Peta Mathias to Tairua on 25th November for a Dessert and Coffee evening as a Fundraiser for the Trail. Asmuss Group in Hamilton has generously provided a selection of pipes for use on the Trail. Firewood sales and public donations are ongoing.

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.

Health & Safety:- Signage and Trail improvements are ongoing to ensure a superior experience by all Trail users. Following advice from Rayonier Matariki Forests we are working with TCDC to ensure Trail users have a safe path through the more forested areas of the Trail.