Locals proud of Kawatiri Coastal Trail
Never heard a single grumble, says Richard Niederer in an understated way. Richard is the chairperson of the Trust that has just opened Pūwaha, a new shared trail from Westport to Carters Beach.
He’s referring to the West Coast community which has embraced the new trail and who are celebrating the investment in their community.
Pūwaha, 5.5 km long, is the first section of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail. The Kawatiri Coastal Trail will stretch 55km along the coast from Westport to Charleston, following in the footsteps of the
ancient Māori and the 1860s gold miners. Pūwaha opened before Christmas last year. Local workers immediately started on the next sections. Niederer says the idea for the trail came from a small Charleston community group 15 years ago. They had a vision to build a bike trail to West- port and thought each community along the way could do a section each. The group asked Niederer if Omau/Cape Foulwind residents would be interested. “Seemed like a damned good idea to us, a biking and walking trail track for us and something to attract visitors to our amazing district. ‘Count us in’, we said! We talked to others from Carters Beach and Westport. We soon had an enthusiastic working committee representing the proposed route from Charleston to Westport.” The Charleston-Westport Coastal Trails Trust was never about a group of middle-aged lycra-wearing cyclists, says Niederer. Rather it’s a community seeing an opportunity to enhance and share its own backyard. And to contribute to the economic wellbeing of the district. Niederer and his committee say they have never seen such enthusiasm, excitement and buy-in from contractors and trail builders as they have for building this first section of the trail. “I’m not sure why, but it’s probably because it’s their own backyard. They will use it with their own families, they can show it off. It is such an amazing and unknown area the trail runs through.” The Trail will be a grade 2 family-friendly cycle trail for most ages, fitness levels and abilities. When it is finished it will have accommodation, restaurants and cafes along the way. Walkers and cyclists will join the trail at several access points, hire bikes, transfer luggage and connect with shuttles. Part of the reason for local excitement is the regional economic development the trail brings. A study commissioned by the trust estimates the trail will benefit the Buller region by $18.2 million over the first 12 years. Building the trail is creating 30 jobs, and further 100 jobs will support the trail once it is complete. These will include people providing beds, food and support for the bikers and walkers along the trail. The trail is forecast to attract 8200 users in its first full year, increasing to 16,600 after 10 years. But the other reason locals are embracing the trail is that it tells their story. “This is not just a bike and walking trail, there is so much more,” says Niederer. “The scenery, the flora and fauna and the amazing history of the district. We see this trail being part of putting Buller on the tourist map, a place for the rest of New Zealand to discover.” Māori history in the area dates back 700 years. The Tai Poutini Pounamu Trail was a route to search for and trade pounamu. The Kawatiri Coastal Trail also follows routes that colonial gold miners trod. The trail will highlight important historic and archaeological sites, as well as spectacular landscapes, sweeping beaches, bush and birds. The Walking Access Commission has been helping to establish the trail. We have been supporting the Trust through the maze of paperwork and decisions needed to achieve easements and public access to this trail in perpetuity. We’ve also provided advice and a grant to cover legal costs around the access agreements. The trail will join the network of world-class trails on the West Coast, including the Kawatiri River Trail the Old Ghost Road, the Paparoa Great Walk and the West Coast Wilderness Trail.