Jun

Rotary Shelter Project Gains Momentum

About the project

The Rotary Shelter project on the Hauraki Rail Trail started construction in 2020. Rotarians from Area 4, which included Thames, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Morrinsville and Matamata chapters, approached the Trust with the concept of building a single shelter on the Trail. Their concept was so well received, that funding for a total of 16 shelters was approved by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), and construction began.

COVID derailed the initial momentum, and many discussions ensued regarding potential sites for the fabulous shelters that look like small train stations. Twelve of a total of 16 shelters are now installed along the Trail, with the last four being constructed at a local farmers unused cow-shed near Te Aroha West.

Photo: Work in progress...

Sites and stories

All of the shelters will be fitted out with seating and stories about the area, and all will have beautiful apex carvings crafted by our iwi partners.

The most recent shelters to be installed have been at Waikino, Victoria Battery and the Karangahake Gorge. Reminiscent of our historic railway, they have been a welcome feature for trail users across recent months.

It’s an exciting phase of the project, with the Trail Trust engaging with local communities regarding stories over the last three years.

When we look back at how many people have been involved, it has truly been an exemplar of how community comes together for the benefit of all.

Photo: Kopu shelter, complete with seating, story panels and landscaping.

Community collaboration and thanks

Over 100 Rotarians have been involved in some way in the construction and funding of the shelters. The local Lions service groups of Paeroa and Te Aroha allowed us to upgrade the older shelters which they installed in 2012.

Iwi have also been involved with the placement, apex carvings, and story telling for the shelters. Similarly, local historians donated their time and energy to assist in identifying sites of interest, while our magnificent story-teller, Sonia Frimmell from ‘Whats the Story’ crafted art and narratives to give each shelter its own unique storyline.

Other members of the public came forward with funding for landscaping, and Trust Waikato also extended generous support to ensure the shelters were built to the highest standard.

James Searle Say Trust paid for the interpretation panels in two shelters in the Karangahake Gorge, while Matamata-Piako District Council negotiated to have some of the Hetana Street limestone carvings placed in the vicinity of the shelters.

Local artist and long time supporter of the Trail, Adrian Worsley, offered his assistance in relocating the limestone artworks at no cost to the Trail. Even the Trust’s staff were found at times with paint brushes at the build site.

The Thames Menzshed have been working on the crafting and installation of the macrocarpa seats, which in some cases included laminating timber together to make the most of the short ends – waste not, want not!

Waikato Regional Council approved sites up on their stop-banks, and our three councils - Hauraki, Thames-Coromandel and Matamata-Piako - all chipped in with site approvals, and landscaping. Just tumeke!

Photo: Shelter, Karangahake Gorge

Funding and donations

The shelter project has a total project cost $365,000. Many wonderful local community initiatives take place along the Hauraki Rail Trail, and the Trail requires this additional funding and donations to support further development in the form of rest areas, seating, landscaping, and signage.

Signage, both directional and story-telling has also been undergoing a transformation, with the new blade style directional signs replacing the older blue maps. The Trail Trust is incredibly grateful to have donations, volunteers and sponsorship forthcoming from our local communities.

If you love the Hauraki Rail Trail as much as we do, a donation to the Trust through our Givealittle Page enables us to take our incredible community asset from good to great, giving enjoyment and health benefits to those who use it.