summer, thanks in part to funding from the New
Zealand Walking Access Commission.The Lake Ngatu Track, north of Kaitaia, has been widened to make practical access easier and the track upgraded to prevent it being washed out by heavy rain over winter. In the South Island, the Purakaunui Inlet Track, north-east of Dunedin, has been widened, resurfaced and reinforced with a rock wall alongside a vulnerable section to ensure it does not further erode into the neighbouring inlet.
Both projects received funding though New Zealand Walking Access Commission’s Enhanced Access Fund, which aims to support projects that boost access to the outdoors and enhance knowledge of responsibilities when accessing rivers, forests, mountains, lakes and beaches. The Bushland Trust received $14,898 to assist with the upgrade work on Lake Ngatu Track and the Purakanui Amenities Society received $12,875 to assist with the work on the Puraukanui Inlet Track.
Purakanui Amenities Society Incorporated President Jude Newton said the access funding played a major part in ensuring work on the Purakaunui Inlet Track was completed quickly and to a high standard.
“The track offers great views of the inlet and is a great place for people to get out and enjoy the outdoors, but restoration work was badly needed to ensure continued access. Parts of the track had slumped into the inlet and it had narrowed considerably. If it wasn’t for this work, the track would soon have been too difficult to walk,” Ms Newton said.
New Zealand Walking Access Commission Chief Executive Mark Neeson said it was great to see the two projects completed in time for the summer holidays, when many people would get out and about in the outdoors.
“Both of the tracks will be extremely popular over the coming holiday season. Supporting projects that enhance access to the outdoors for New Zealanders and overseas visitors is what the Enhanced Access Fund is all about.”
Thirty projects around New Zealand have been awarded funding through the Enhanced Access Fund since its first funding round in 2010.
Other completed projects include the Pahi Peninsula Walkway in Northland, the Lake Hill Track near Canterbury’s Lake Coleridge and Dalton’s Track near the Pelorus Bridge in Marlborough. Projects to signpost fishing access points in Marlborough, Nelson and Waikato and show access to Waikato River Trails Trust walking and cycling tracks in the Waikato have also received funding through the fund.