Great ride Te Hangāruru opens: ‘A gift to the community for Matariki'
Photo:
Supplied
The opening of a long-awaited cycle and walking trail connecting Horopito to Waimarino (National Park village) has been heralded as a major milestone for the Mountains to Sea - Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride.
"This is our gift to the community for Matariki," trail champion Lynley Twyman said at the Horopito trail head in the central North Island.
Twyman said Te Hangāruru, the new section of the Great Ride, was a vital piece of the vision to complete a 320km journey from Ruapehu maunga to the Tasman Sea.
"The trail honours the stories and abundance of this land, and builds a legacy for future generations."
The rising of the nine stars of Matariki (Pleiades) marks the beginning of the Māori new year.
This year's national observance day ceremony, being broadcast from the foot of Ruapehu maunga at dawn on Friday, recognises both Matariki and Puanga (Rigel), one of the most important stars for Māori in the Ruapehu and Whanganui regions.
Twyman said the region had come through a difficult period, including ski industry troubles and the closure of major employers like
the Chateau Tongariro
and
WPI Mills
.
The trail would help build regional resilience and act as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and community wellbeing.
Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton said Te Hangāruru had been delivered despite enormous challenges, including funding hurdles and environmental consents.
"This trail is the product of sheer determination, long-term vision and real community mahi," Kirton said.
"Te Hangāruru represents not just connection on a map, but a pathway for locals and visitors to explore, reflect and rediscover the beauty of this place."
The newest section of the Mountains to Sea - Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride was opened on Thursday morning in the central North Island.
Photo:
Supplied
Twyman said the Mountains to Sea - Ngā Ara Tūhono trail was one of New Zealand's most diverse cycle trails, traversing dual World Heritage landscapes, native bush, alpine streams, the volcanic plateau, historic viaducts and the Whanganui River.
The 9km southern section of Te Hangāruru, from Horopito to Pōkākā Road, features two new suspension bridges, including a 30 metre bridge over the Mangaturuturu River, a dramatic waterfall and a heritage tramway.
The 9km northern section follows part of the restored Marton Sash & Door tramway.
The final section of the trail - awaiting funding for construction -
includes a 225m suspension bridge over the Makatote River
.
Te Hangāruru was due to open at Horopito on Thursday morning with a community celebration bringing together iwi, council representatives and the wider community, including students from National Park School and Raetihi Primary.
The Mountains to Sea initiative is a collaboration between iwi, local government and the community.
A charitable trust that leads and supports work on the trail includes representatives from Ngāti Rangi, iwi collective Te Korowai o Wainuiārua, Ruapehu and Whanganui district councils, the Whanganui Māori regional tourism organisation, trail users and community leaders.
"Te Hangāruru is a tangible expression of partnership," Te Korowai o Wainuiārua chair Aiden Gilbert said.
The name Te Hangāruru was gifted to the trail by Uenuku, one of three iwi represented by Te Korowai o Wainuiārua.
It refers to the native forest - traditionally a place of abundance for local Māori.
"The name Te Hangāruru recalls a time when the skies of the Waimarino forest were dark with birds such as kākā," Gilbert said.
"It was a place where tangata whenua gathered kai and lived in harmony with the taiao (earth)."
Gilbert said the trail winds through regenerating ngahere, past waterfalls and toward the proposed iwi-led Pōkākā alpine ecosanctuary.
"Through this trail, our people have opportunities to care for the land and to welcome visitors through manaakitanga. It's part of a bigger journey, one where we walk together."
Whanganui mayor Andrew Tripe, who chairs Ngā Ara Tūhono Charitable Trust, described the Great Ride as "a true regional treasure".
He said the Mountains to Sea ride literally connects the Ruapehu and Whanganui districts and strengthens their shared future.
"This project brings economic opportunity, supports healthy communities and invites manuhiri from all over to experience something unique to Aotearoa."
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
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