we are still working on a Management Agreement with the DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION to use the Endowment land – we are very close to completion and finally we have some real progress to report.
We have reached some significant milestones. JEFF CARTER of SOUTHSTAR TRAILS has spent his first week in the Forest marking out some initial trails. Huge thanks to NIKKI KEMPTHORNE and EDGEWATER PALMS APARTMENTS who put Jeff up for us FREE OF CHARGE for the entire week! This is tremendous generosity at such a busy time of year and in such a lovely establishment. Also thank you to 35 DEGREES and ALFRESCO’S for keeping our hard working trail builder so well fed. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Jeff completed the marking for 3 trails – top to bottom descents, each about 1.6km. It was extremely hard going, cutting a walkway through, at times, over head high gorse. Nothing that he is not used too. Jeff works like a machine – throwing everything at it. Thank you to CHARLIE WITT and SANDRO SCHULTZ (SITA CONSTRUCTION) for jumping in at very short notice to help Jeff out.
At the end of the trail marking week, we met for the first ever trail walkthrough. Present at this meeting were ROBIN & TIFF HOLLAND, JEFF CARTER (Southstar Trails) ALICE HOSTED & ADRIAN WALKER (Department of Conservation), JONO CARPENTER (Geometria – Archeologist) EMMA GIBBS & NGATI KAWA TAITUHA (Te Tii Waitangi Marae). It was a very special moment as it was the first time this team had come together on the land. The discussions were very positive and there was general excitement for the project. We look forward to working closely with Te Tii Waitangi Marae Trustees in developing a plan that recognises Ngati Rahiri as Manawhenua. This is an opportunity to highlight a rich cultural area.
BREAKING NEWS! SUCCESSFUL FUNDING APPLICATION!
The Waitangi Mountain Bike Park project (under FOCUS PAIHIA’s umbrella) is one of the recipients of the inaugural FAR NORTH DISTRICT COUNCIL ‘COMMUNITY FUNDS – DISTRICT’ SCHEME. The goal of the fund is to further promote and develop cultural, sport or recreation opportunities which fulfill a demonstrated community need and which benefit a significant sector of the community (Policy #3214).
This significant grant is wonderful news. We understand that Council is delighted to be able to support this project, along with a number of other exciting initiatives around the district. Further details will be announced by FNDC this week. Yahoo! THANK YOU FNDC! We are on our way!