Riverboat plan adds to the magic
$1.1m project will be welcome tie-in to rail trail, says mayor
Cyclists on the Hauraki Rail Trail will soon be able to step on a riverboat from Paeroa Historic Maritime Museum and land at an all-tide wharf and pontoons in the town.
The $1.1 million project, paid for with $730,000 Provincial Growth Fund grant and $400,000 from Hauraki District Council, will build a community jetty on the hinemuri River, three pontoons, and a new riverboat to ferry people and bikes between the museum in the Paeroa Historical Maritime Park and Wharf St in town.
Hauraki mayor Toby Adams said the Hauraki Rail Trail was key to tourism and he was “100 per cent” focused on ensuring Waihı¯ also benefited, with investment from the council bringing the trail right into Waihı¯ town.
The trail finishes at the terminus of the Goldfields Railway vintage train, which runs between Waikino and Waihı¯. It is a 20-minute walk from there into Seddon St.
“We need to get off our butts and make sure that the rail trail connects into town. That needs to be priority for us. We have got it in our budget, and we’ve been working on it for a long time so we need to make it happen. We want tourists to turn their ride from a day trip to multi-day and stay in all of our towns. They can take a riverboat from the trail to Paeroa, ride to Waikino and take a train or cycle to Waihı¯.”
The council is also seeking to support Western Bay of Plenty Council to extend a cycle trail into Waihı¯ Beach.
On a visit to the park last week, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said it was nice to be putting money back into Paeroa and the Thames Valley.
“It’s truly charming to be here and to add some serious grunt to the future tourism development of this part of the country.
“So many times I’ve looked at the bridge and wondered what’s going on. I could see it there but never had a chance because I was always going flat out to Auckland, I don’t know why, but was always fascinated to see what you are doing.
Looking around the grounds, he added: “As someone who owns a boat built in 1942 by Land Brothers in Whangaroa, I’m wondering how long they are going to last using them as garden beds,” he quipped. Kauri can take a lot but it can’t take that.”“As someone who owns a boat built in 1942 by Land Brothers in Whangaroa, I’m wondering how long they are going to last using them as garden beds. Kauri can take a lot but it can’t take that,” he quipped.
Welcomed by John Linstead of Nga¯ti Hako, Mr Peters spoke about wanting to open the transtasman bubble as soon as possible and glad to be making a tourism investment in Thames Valley.
The hinemuri River is an historical route for Ma¯ori and later for Pakeha, and Mayor Adams said it was fitting to connect it back to the Paeroa central business district.
“People have shared memories of arriving by boat at Wharf St for a big night out at the movies. Cruising into town by riverboat again will be such a great complement to the Hauraki Rail Trail and a huge drawcard for tourists, providing opportunities for businesses and much-needed jobs and opportunities in the wake of Covid-19,” he said.
Former Hauraki mayor and Maritime Park patron Basil Morrison said the investment presented opportunity to create employment and education for boat building and classic boat regattas as riverboats ran from Paeroa to Ko¯pu and Te Aroha.
Paeroa Historical Maritime Park chairman Colin James and his wife, Gloria, said creating a multi-purpose tourist and historical attraction has been the dream of hard-working volunteers for years. “Just watch this space, this is just the beginning,” Colin said.
Stage two of the development includes a centre with an educational focus, conference facilities and cafe.