The increase in the number of cruise liners now visiting Napier also has seen a considerable number of larger coaches now taking passengers up to Te Mata Peak.
There already has been recent comment on the movement of coaches from the entrance to Te Mata Park up to the peak, and this has now become a popular route for many, and with the proposed establishment of a new complex in the park, I suggest this will only see the use of this road increase in the coming years.
Cyclists, particularly those travelling down the Peak road, often do so at considerable speed, and can at times create quite a hazard for others using the road.
I can only suggest that the council should be actively looking to enhance and improve this major tourist route.
The requirement for cyclists to wear "hi-viz" vests or shirts, as some of them now do, would also go a long way to improving the visibility of those biking on all of our roads.
I have seen work currently being undertaken on the Waimarama road past Craggy Range Winery, to create a limestone walkway all the way to the bridge over the Tuki Tuki river.
However I have yet to see anyone walking this route, and it would seem that the Te Mata Park, accessed from either Te Mata Peak or Tauroa roads, is still a popular destination for many people from our community.
Ralph Hamer, Havelock North
No cruelty seen
My partner and I came over from England for a month's holiday.
We have had an amazing time here.
The highlight of this holiday was going to the upper Mohaka rodeo.
I read an article in the paper about the up-coming rodeo which was to take place on January 22. The week prior to this I was very excited about going; I was more excited than a child at Christmas.
I live on a farm in Devon and have rescued lots of animals over the years.
When I left school I went to an agricultural college and have several equine qualifications, so I think I have an educated knowledge of animal husbandry.
I had to email you in response to the article in the paper about rodeos being cruel to animals.
I have to say that I found everyone to be very professional in their conduct towards the animals and personally didn't see any cruelty towards any of the animals.
Believe me, if I saw anything that wasn't right I would have been the first person to have been kicking up about it.
Everyone there, both competitors, spectators and the Highway 61 crew, were nice and it was an enjoyable day for all.
It was great to see children getting involved in the competition (back at home I was in the show ring at an early age on horseback) as by getting children involved they are learning all aspects of animal husbandry and, let's face it, they are the future of farming.
I'd like to take this opportunity to say congratulations to all who won their respective classes and it really was the highlight of my holiday.
It was amazing to watch - keep up all the good work.
Sophie Webber, England
Confused view
In your article of January 31, "Ministerial visit steps up interest in dam plan", comments were published, attributable to Tom Belford, quoting him in his capacity as a member of the community stakeholder group reviewing the proposal. Mr Belford proceeds to make comments regarding the "economic viability of the plan were still unseen".
Mr Belford seems confused with regard to what the role of the stakeholder group is, despite having the agreed terms of reference as part of that group in May 2010.
At the outset of the feasibility project, the Hawke's Bay Regional Council set up two groups to help with project input.
One is the Leadership Group. This group is charged with guiding the project with regards to links to potential investors and establishment of the commercial viability of the potential scheme. Members of this group have expertise in accounting, agribusiness, irrigation and capital raising.
So far the feedback from this group is that the work being undertaken via the project is appropriate, fit for purpose, has engaged the correct expertise and is on track to provide answers on viability, risks and risk mitigation.
The second group referred to as the stakeholder reference group is made up of representatives from hapu within the area, Fish & Game, Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird, recreational river users, land owners, members of the irrigation group within the Tukituki catchment, the Central Hawke's Bay District Council, the regional council and Mr Belford, who lives adjacent to the main stem of the Tukituki river.
This group has been focused on the environmental, social and cultural aspects of the feasibility project. This group is dealing with some complex and challenging issues, not least how to deal with land use intensification issues and their potential impact on water quality.
In his comments, Mr Belford expresses concern at the speed at which the project is progressing.
It's relatively well known that Mr Belford has a view, validly, on the water issues within the Tukituki river. He has expressed frustration at the slow pace with which they are apparently being dealt with. Work undertaken by HBRC, and discussed within the stakeholder group, is suggesting that in a dry year when irrigation is in full swing, the river flow is dropping by approximately 30 per cent, thereby compromising both water quality and recreational-use values of the river.
On the other side of the ledger, economic analysis suggests that the value to the regional economy of the current agribusiness activity supported by irrigation is in the order of tens of millions per annum.
If the HBRC were to rely solely on a statutory plan change process that resets the minimum flow regime in the river to a higher level and sets in place a process for adjustments on the water-allocation consents, estimates of the elapsed time-frame to achieve an outcome of higher flows range between 10 to 15 years.
We are, though, delighted that Mr Belford has agreed to be part of a stakeholder sub-group focusing on solutions for land-use intensification.
Constructive engagement and a willingness to work towards finding solutions for these issues is a major part of this project.
Andrew Newman, Chief executive Hawke's Bay Regional Council
