Trail trust suggesting bridge to open up Wanganui coast

RIVER LAND: Baches at the mouth of the Whangaehu River have been removed, and the Te Araroa Trust wants a bridge there. PHOTO/ FILE A-110912WCSMLAND3

The Te Araroa Trust is seeking permission from landowners to extend the national walking trail along Wanganui's south coast, chief executive Rob Wakelin says.

Board members will meet members of the Rakautaua 9 Trust, which owns land at the mouth of the Whangaehu River, on June 6.

That will be preceded by a meeting of all affected landowners, including the Ngati Apa Runanga, Conservation Department, Horizons Regional Council, Rangitikei and Wanganui district councils and farmer Rob Craig.

The trail trust wants to bridge the Whangaehu River so people can walk the coast from South Beach to Scott's Ferry, rather than walking the verge of State Highway 3.

The 20km of highway between Wanganui and Turakina is dangerous for walkers and "one of the more unpleasant" stretches of the trail anywhere in the country, Mr Wakelin said.

Bridging the Whangaehu would make it possible for people to walk the coast from South Beach, through Whitiau Scientific Reserve and Koitiata and Santoft Forest, to Scott's Ferry. It would be safer and more scenic.

The trust has been in discussion with one of the Maori landowning bodies, the Rakautaua 9 Trust, for some time. Its 1100 shareholders own 141 coastal hectares south of the Whangaehu River mouth.

Rakautaua 9 chairman Casey Paki said there was a compelling case for the trail. His trust was deciding how to use the area, and the trail could fit well with some of the things it wanted to achieve.

The baches of squatters have been moved off the river mouth and the trust would like toilets and a campground there, and possibly a building later.

Rakautaua 9 Trust members had not made a decision about the trail, but were "impressed with the respectful and positive representations" from Te Araroa, he said.

-Te Araroa trustees and Rakautaua 9 trustees meet at Whangaehu Marae at 10am on June 6. Te Araroa representatives speak first, and then discuss the proposal with Rakautaua 9 shareholders.

The Long Walk

The Te Araroa Trail is 2996km, from Cape Reinga to Bluff. It was founded in
1994 by Geoff Chapple, and opened in 20ll by Sir Jerry Mateparae. It runs
through both cities and national parks, and is still being improved.

It takes 120 to 150 days to walk the whole thing. Wanganui tourist operators
say several people a week pass through the region on the trail in summer.

In this part of the world the trail starts with the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
and proceeds through Whakapapa Village and National Park to Fisher's Track,
Whakahoro, the Kaiwhakauka Track, Mangapurua Landing, Whanganui River
by canoe, Whanganui River Rd, SH4 to Wanganui, SH3 to Turakina, Koitiata,
Santoft Forest, Scott's Ferry and Bulls.