Te Mata Project team on track

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst with the Te Mata Reference Group part of the Te Mata Project Team.

The group is completing the first of three phases to find a suitable option for the walking track on the eastern side of Te Mata Peak.

The Project Team, whose members include external consultants, mana whenua representatives and council officers, has been brought together by Hastings District Council.

Phase one started in May this year with the Project Team working on the cultural, landscape, ecological, recreational and engineering assessments of the eastern escarpment of Te Mata Rongokako, an Outstanding Natural Landscape area.

Those reports are expected to be completed soon.

Phase two is assessing different track options against all the cultural, landscape and other technical information.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says the council

Ahopes public consultation on the track options will begin in October.

“Staff are currently planning what that consultation process will look like and how long it will

Erun.” Council has been meeting regularly with the Te Mata Track Reference Group, which includes key stakeholders and interested parties. It includes Nga¯ ti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated,

KCraggy Range Winery, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, Te Mata Park Trust, Te Mata Peak Peoples’ Track Society, Hastings District Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Waimarama Marae.

Sandra says the Reference Group is looking forward to seeing all the information being gathered and the community consulted on the walking track.

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