$7m for NZ's first Treetop Walkway

The foundations have been laid for the $7 million Hokitika Rimu Treetop Walkway. Photo / File

The foundations have been laid for the $7 million Hokitika Rimu Treetop Walkway; the first in New Zealand.

Australian-based director Shane Abel told the Guardian yesterday the project was within budget and on target for a mid-December opening.

He reassured Hokitika business people that the walkway would not operate in opposition. Although the visitor centre, which is also now under construction, will include office space, a staffroom, toilets, kitchen, cafe and retail area, it was not designed in opposition to outlets in town.

The retail area was "smaller than an average bedroom", he said.

"Its not exactly a retail outlet. We are not interested in a massive retail area, and we are happy to have samples of local works on display."

Mr Abel did not consider the cafe in the visitor centre to be a threat, either.

"It's a cafe, a place where 80 can sit inside and another 40 or 50 outside."

He said the walkway could only have a positive effect on Hokitika businesses.

"It will encourage people to create activities so that visitors stay longer. Activities like quad-biking, horse riding or jetboating on the Hokitika River. A bit of competition in the market is healthy and the treetop walkway could be just the beginning."