Editorial: Good call on Te Mata Peak access

New gates have been installed on Te Mata Peak.

The decision by the Hastings District Council to close access to Te Mata Peak at night is the correct one.

The gates will close at 10pm and reopen at 5am daily - a move that is part of a series of council initiatives to make the road safer.

The Te Mata Trust is supportive of the move because it says that much of the vandalism, illegal camping and dumping of rubbish in the park occurs in the early hours of the morning.

Te Mata Peak is a special place and a much-used resource, but this is mainly in the daylight hours.

Whenever I walk there, there are always at least 20 other walkers, runners or cyclists - no matter the time of day.

Sure, there will be some people who will moan about not being able to drive up and view the Hawke's Bay night skyline, but frankly I could think of better things to do than negotiate that narrow, winding road in the pitch dark.

I would rather wait for sensible hours to do so, because from what the trust is telling us, the majority of people up there at night are up to no good.

It can't be too romantic up there late at night with drunken yobs yahooing about or clandestine utes offloading household or garden waste.

Yes, common sense has prevailed and along with the other safety measures - extending the roadside barriers near the summit and installing new gates just above Peak House restaurant - the closure at night will ensure we get the best out of this magnificent tourist attraction.

Besides, once the visitor and education centre is built at the entrance to the park, we will all be able to enjoy spectacular night views from the centre's viewing platform.