The Te Wairere waterfall track project which is currently underway in Kerikeri, received a Ministerial visit on Friday afternoon (3 February) when the New Zealand Walking Access Commission hosted Associate Minister for Primary Industries Hon Louise Upston for a guided walk.

The visit was organised by the Commission to celebrate the work being undertaken by Kerikeri Rotary, Vision Kerikeri and Friends of the Wairoa Stream to create lasting public access to Te Wairere Waterfall.

The new 2km Wairoa Stream Walking Track, which is under development, will provide access from Kerikeri’s Pa Road footbridge to the waterfall. Te Wairere Waterfall was once popular, but has become difficult to access in recent decades as a result of the subdivision of land and the regrowth of forest alongside the Wairoa Stream’s banks.

Much of the track to the waterfall is complete and work is now underway to construct a 12-metre-long bridge across the Wairoa Stream to complete the project.

Ms Upston walked the track with; Rod Brown of Vision Kerikeri and Friends of the Wairoa Stream, Keith Day Rotary project manager for the bridge, Eric Pyle CEO of The Walking Access Commission, Doug Galbraith President of Kerikeri Rotary and, met with Richard and Emily Fladgate who have generously provided access across their land for the track.

As Associate Minister for Primary Industries, the New Zealand Walking Access Commission falls within Ms Upston’s mandate. The Commission is the Crown entity that plays a lead role in promoting free, certain, enduring and practical access to the outdoors.

New Zealand Walking Access Commission chief executive Eric Pyle welcomed the Minister’s interest in community trail development initiatives and public access to the outdoors.

“This visit provided an opportunity for the Minister to see some of the fantastic trail development work being done by community groups in Northland, in partnership with local iwi and landholders. The Wairoa Stream Track is a fantastic example of the work being done across the country to develop new public access for current and future generations.”

In the photo, from left to right is: Rod Brown of Vision Kerikeri & Friends of the Wairoa Stream, Keith Day Rotary project manager, Eric Pyle CEO WAC, Hon Louise Upston, Richard and Emily Fladgate (landowners) and Doug Galbraith President of Kerikeri Rotary.