Walking track opened at Whareroa Farm

Kapiti deputy mayor Janet Holborow unveils a new walking track sign in Whareroa Farm. Photo / Supplied

After a year of planning and volunteer effort, a new walking track in Whareroa Farm has opened.

Kapiti deputy mayor Janet Holborow and a group of children opened the Catchment View Track this month.

More than 40 volunteers and supporters gathered to plant native trees before Ms Holborow unveiled the sign, and the children - Rufus Blyth-Dibley, Lilyani Haxton, Elsa Blyth-Dibey, Zara Cammack and Yonexsi Haxton - broke a tape to open the track.

Sentinel totara trees were planted.

The track was created by the Whareroa Guardians as well as the Department of Conservation with support from Walking Access Commission Aotearoa which funded the signs, and Transpower which built the stile onto Campbell's Mill Rd.

The track, starting in the middle of the farm, is a steep route up the ridge to Campbell's Mill Rd where walkers can choose to head south to Mt Wainui or north to the Whareroa north access and descend to form a loop or they can head out to the Maungakotukutuku Rd.

There are several seats along the way made by volunteers, and plenty of panoramic views.

There is now a good network of walking tracks for all abilities at Whareroa, with maps available in the information bay at the farm's main entrance.

The farm connects the coast via Queen Elizabeth Park to the Tararuas via the Akatarawa Reserve.

There are also horse and biking tracks.