CYCLEWAY PROGRESS

The 86 km Bay of Islands to Hokianga coast to coast trail has the huge potential to become an iconic trail for local, national and international users.  This cycle/walkway project is worth being enthusiastic about.  It fits in perfectly with the national cycleway vision that the Prime Minister John Key has championed and secured funding for.  This coast to coast trail picks up the strengths of both the spectacularly successful Central Otago rail corridor cycleway and the South Island Coast to Coast race.  The vision is for a trail between the Bay of Islands and the beautiful

	Joe Carr NRC Councillor

upper reaches of the Hokianga generally along the disused rail corridor.  The trail includes numerous places of interest that give many opportunities for local communities to provide services.  The market for users is good, as about 80% of the users of the Central Otago cycleway are from nearby Auckland.

 

A train ride from Opua to Kawakawa, then cycle ride or walk following the easy grade of the old rail corridor through Ngapipito, up Jacobs ladder to Kaikohe, thence through the rail tunnel and on to Okaihau would be awesome, but would probably be surpassed by the natural beauty of  a potential greenfield track that follows the banks of the Utakura River from Okaihau to Horeke.  Another much cheaper route option between Okaihau and Horeke exists.  This option is feasible and is generally less intrusive on private property.  Should the Coast to Coast cycle/walkway go ahead, and I surely hope that it does, it can provide another aspect that has had little recognition to date, that is the historic and cultural importance to Maori of the route between Hokianga and Taumarere.

 

Naau te rourou, Naaku te rourou, Ka maakona te iwi

 

“Your contribution and my contribution will provide sufficient for all.”

 

This is a constant reminder to us – from the host people, to whom the whenua belongs, that we have a responsibility to our manuhiri.  The most important of attributes among those responsibilities being to provide an abundance of food, a place to rest and a group who are ready to host our manuhiri in a fitting manner that will ensure their return.

People are excited about the opportunities that may arise from the cycle/walkway between Okaihau and Horeke however they are mindful of those things that they value as Maori.  A critical aspect of the planning and development of the track is the buy-in from the people including the effected landowners– this is generally gained by having a transparent and well communicated process that includes all the significant parties at important points over the course of the project.

 

The success of the cycle/walkway will come down to the people and what they contribute to the trail.  The council needs to engage with the people in a meaningful and co-constructive manner in order that all can see their contributions, responsibilities and the collective and individual opportunities.

 

For the coast to coast trail to fail for failing to recognise this would be a shame to all.