When I first heard approximately three months ago, the plans of Craggy Range Winery to create a track up to the top of the eastern side, I was impressed because it meant that everyone would have the opportunity of enjoying the magnificent views and it would probably link into the network of other tracks throughout the park.
If I knew this was going to happen back in October, I am amazed that the grapevine never reached the manu whenua. I guess it probably did and they chose at that stage to do nothing about it. Communication works both ways. One should never just sit back and wait for something to happen.
Craggy Range did nothing wrong and all of their goals were both very generous and admirable. They funded the entire development costing some $300,000 or more and wanted to make a contribution to Hawke's Bay.
Te Mata Peak is listed amongst others on Lonely Planet as a "must see" tourist attraction. I walked up with a very nice couple with their two young children from England who said what a fantastic idea this was.
Craggy Range purchased the land from willing landowners because they also endorsed the plan. The winery contracted the very best available in the track construction. They did the right thing and submitted a plan for resource consent to the council. It was granted because under the conditions of the current district plan what they planned to do complied and the work began.
So where did it all turn to custard?
A very vocal minority couldn't accept the scar that was visible at the initial stages of construction.
They were not prepared to give it time to heal like all other scars need. They just reacted without considering any of the reasoning behind it, and the sheer pleasure the track would give thousands over the years.
Local Maori became involved because they were not consulted about the track being cut on private land. I find this strange because there are tracks throughout the park that are used by walkers, trampers, mountain bikers and tourists.
There is a public road that goes right up to the summit, hang gliders launch themselves off platforms near the top and they land close to where the track has now been cut. Enthusiasts fly model planes from the paddocks below and local farmers graze stock.
While I have been making inquiries I have been informed that the Hawke's Bay Maori Tourism Trust leases Peak House to run commercial activities from. Also if my memory serves me correctly, Andy Lowe cut a large track on the back of the peak and nothing was ever said. All of this reeks of double standards to me.
Did many whenua object to all, or any of these developments? Not to my knowledge. One needs to ask the question, who are those who are speaking out against the track, speaking on behalf of themselves as individuals and/or if they are speaking on behalf of a group, have they consulted with them?
I have also been reliably informed that there is nothing sacred along the path the track has taken along this outstanding natural feature. Like I said before, it is no different from other peaks throughout New Zealand.
Where to from here? We all need to encourage Craggy Range to let the track remain and be used as they intended. Regrass and plant as they originality planned.
Others have been allowed to cut tracks in the past so I would urge you to reconsider your latest decision and allow the track to remain.
Lou Klinkhamer is a retiree who was a businessman in Hastings for many years. All opinions are the writer's and not those of Hawke's Bay Today.
