Improvements to Tararua section of trail ongoing

The Te Araroa Wellington Trust (TAWT) and DOC are working on a new level of co-operation especially affecting improvements to the Tararua section of the Te Araroa Trail. The trust is working with KiwiRail to overcome slip damage on the Escarpment Track (Paekākāriki to Pukerua Bay). This work will involve a temporary bypass above the slip so the Trail does not need to be closed. Work continues on maintenance, signage and bridge upgrades on the trail. The Escarpment Track continues to attract large numbers of day walkers with the trail counter providing proof of popularity ( just under 30,000 in 2020). However its ongoing maintenance especially relating to slips does involve a lot of work. TAWT is continuing to negotiate with private and Iwi land owners to provide access over land that circumvents walkers having to go on the road. These include discussions with the Waipunahau Wi Parata Trust for a track over their land above Waikanae and with WCC and landowners on the potential of an overland route down the Ohariu Valley.