Building A Better Trail

Across the Hauraki Rail Trail, a range of essential works are in motion to improve the rider experience, boost safety, and future-proof the Trail for years to come. 

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and this is very true for the Hauraki Rail Trail. The Trail only has two staff, but works with a dedicated team, including volunteers, project managers, maintenance teams, contractors, Councils, DoC and community to undertake these major works.    

“Sometimes it feels like we are swans on a lake. All calm above water, but paddling like heck underneath, to stay on top of our Trail issues” said Diane Drummond, CEO. "We are currently managing nearly 20 projects, many of which are coming to a close."  

 

Some of these projects include:

 

Safety improvements at Waitawheta/Owharoa Falls

We have moved the Trail away from the busy intersection, and will complete this work later this year, with crossing markings and good signage.

 

Gabrielle works in the Gorge

We have completed the foreseeable concreting and wait to see what the next major storm event brings. Feedback from users is this section of Trail is the best it has ever been, so if you haven’t been on it for a while, come and have a look.

You can read more about the Gabrielle Repair works here.

 

Photo: Concrete works along Section C

 

Rotary Shelter Project

The Rotary Shelter project is coming to an end, with all 16 shelters now installed. Only 12 of the 80 panels are left to be developed, and we are working with community about the storylines these might hold. Local iwi is in design mode for the carvings that will adorn the shelters. 

You can read more about the shelter panels here.

 

Photo: Trail users enjoying a break to learn more about the Trail and its surrounds in Karangahake Gorge

 

Hetana Street Reserve Sculpture Project

In May of last year, community members worked together to find a new home for three sculptures from Hetana Street Reserve in Matamata. Local artist Adrian Worsley and John Baily moved the pieces to their new homes along the Hauraki Rail Trail.

The sculptures have been sited at Te Aroha West, Manawaru and Stanley Landing. The new locations were agreed upon by Hauraki Rail Trail CEO Diane Drummond, Matamata-Piako District Council and Anthony Van Den Berg, leader of the sculpture symposium.

Signage will be installed to recognise the artists. You can read more about the project here.

 

Photo: Stone sculpture by Mihaka Marikena

 

Photo: Faces In Stone - Alan Williams

 

Kilometre Markers

We are reinstalling kilometre markers down the length of the Trail, starting at 1 in Kaiaua and 167 in Matamata. In the past our km markers started again at 1 on each Section of the Trail, causing confusion for rescue services, and maintenance teams when trying to locate which ‘number 17’ was being referred to. Now if there is an issue, we can locate the problem within 500m at any time just by using the km marker reference.

 

Hauraki Rail Trail Website

The Trail website is undergoing a major upgrade, and will be focussed on the rider journey, making trip planning much easier. We are looking for a small group to ‘test run’ our website prior to going live in July. If you are keen to be involved drop us a line at info@haurakirailtrail.co.nz.

 

We aren’t finished yet, and have our eye on the horizon for further funding to bring the whole Trail up to the standard that is expected of being one of New Zealand’s Great Rides - one that we can all be proud of. If you see our team out undertaking these works, give them a shout of thanks, they really appreciate it! 

 

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