This easement is to be held on our behalf by Hastings District Council. So legally the Craggy Track really is our track.
It is generous of Craggy Range to provide our track and a legal walking easement for the public. Unfortunately, development of the Craggy Track has had a negative impact on relationships between tangata whenua, Hastings District Council, Craggy Range and among our community.
We need to work together now to heal these relationships. This article suggests how we can do this.
I am a trustee of Te Mata Park but this represents only my views. The Craggy Track provides public recreation as Te Mata Park does. It would be easily connected to the park. Large numbers of people of all cultures use it. They see it as part of Te Mata Park and it seems wrong to stop them enjoying it.
Some critics of the Craggy Track believe it can be removed and the land put back as it was before.
I am told by track builders and an engineer that this is impossible to do. However, it is possible to significantly improve the landscaping. This can be done just as well while allowing people to walk it.
Most of us regard landscape issues as very important but we regard public recreation as equally important.
Our efforts may be better spent working together to improve the track. Strategic low planting could make a wonderful bird corridor to Te Mata Park and to Havelock North from the Cape Sanctuary.
Land recovers in time but let's hurry the process.
There are cultural issues with the track - tangata whenua were not consulted in advance because Craggy Range were told this was not required.
Craggy Range is a family-owned company which has invested hugely in our land and our people. Let's work together in a way that acknowledges and respects tangata whenua. For example, there could be information boards on the track and at Te Mata Park providing local Maori history.
Perhaps there could be a pou at the top of the track. We need to do what tangata whenua say about ways to repair relationships.
Tangata whenua are concerned with the appearance of the track and must be closely involved in developing proposals to improve it. We are in a partnership – in our community and under the Treaty of Waitangi - where our relationships are the most important thing! I believe tangata whenua are key to resolving the hurt from inadequate consultation, which was never intended by anyone.
Let's korero (talk) preferably kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face). When we korero we must acknowledge tangata whenua as the first people of the land - their mana sourced in whakapapa will never be extinguished. What do our tamariki (children) and mokopuna (grandchildren) say about the track? Let's listen to the public – 17,314 people have signed the online petition "Save the Craggy Range Walking Track". Let's listen to the landscape experts and the track builders also.
It has been suggested there could be an alternative track built on the eastern slopes of the peak. But subsequently the Environmental Defence Society said they do not see how such a track could be lawful.
Putting these statements together it is clear the public has only one chance for an eastern track. That chance is the opportunity we have now, to retain the Craggy Track.
The reason the public love the Craggy Track is because it gets them into the iconic landscape (the same landscape critics say justifies the track being removed). I favour letting people get close to the beautiful limestone cliffs and rock formations where otherwise only sheep could go.
Many people think Te Mata Park runs the length of the Te Mata ridgeline. There has been an informal public trail along the Te Mata ridgeline for decades.
The scenery there is outstanding. Hawke's Bay is on show to the left and right.
I can see cruise ship visitors being taken to Te Mata Peak Rd, then walking the Te Mata ridgeline all the way down to Waimarama Rd.
Some of those visitors would turn right at the top of the Craggy Track and enjoy its scenery too.
The regional council is building a walking and cycling track beside Waimarama Rd. This will make an iconic 10km walking and running loop when joined to the Craggy Track and the Waimarama Rd end of the Te Mata ridgeline walk.
A loop track would be used even more than an up and down track. If the Craggy Track remains this scenic loop will be extremely popular.
Finding the best way to move forward requires compromise from everyone as well as goodwill, respect and good faith.
I challenge our leaders to work together to resolve this matter positively, bring everyone's interests together and retain our track.
• Michael Bate is a Hastings lawyer who has written five public access easement documents for the Te Mata ridgeline including the public easement for the Craggy Track; he is also a trustee on Te Mata Park Trust.
