TEAM EFFORT

The community should take a bow. The recent opening ceremony of the Waitangi Mountain Bike Park is a testament to the power of people united, first by a vision then in action.

The gracious and powerful welcome of Ngati Kawa which opened this very special environment for all to enjoy was very generous in every sense.

So many individuals and organisations have contributed to this project that it is truly a community achievement.

It is never easy to satisfy all parties that have, to some degree, competing interests. In this case they worked though the issues and arrived at consensus. The result is spectacular.

What a great model for community development.

It had all of the necessary elements; vision, leadership, wisdom, guidance, generosity, enthusiasm, skill and committed workers from all generations and all walks of life.

After a short ride, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.