This morning the Pipiwharauroa Walking and Biking Trail opened to the public. After the early morning opening ceremony, attended by about 50 people, a group from the Raglan Mountain-biking Club were the first to experience the 18 kilometre return track over privately-owned farmland on the Wharauroa Plateau.
Kuia from Ngati Maahanga began the ceremony with a karanga calling the visitors to the Trail. Sunna Thompson and other kaumatua answered the karanga and said an ancient karakia. Then Dynes Fulton, Deputy Mayor of Waikato District, unveiled the dedication stone and its bronze plaque. He said that he is confident it will become a landmark Waikato district attraction.
“The trail offers a unique opportunity to experience the history of the site, unmatched views of the Waikato and a chance to get close to a number of the 137 metre high turbines in operation on the wind farm. It is an outstanding asset and we appreciate the generosity of the land-owners and Meridian Energy in making this possible.”
Next Robert Batters, Senior Project Manager with Meridian Energy thanked the land owners and everybody who had made the trail possible.
After the cyclists had assembled at the starting tape, Dynes Fulton dropped the WDC flag and the the Raglan Mountain Biking Club were away up the hill.
At 430 metres above sea level, the trail winds over the Te Uku Wind Farm site which affords outstanding 360 degree views across the greater Waikato, to include Raglan, Kawhia and Aotea harbours, and on a clear day, Mt Taranaki. The winning name was submitted by Brenda and Trevor George of Ohaupo, who were presnt at the opening. The couple submitted the following wording to support their entry: Maaori used to travel this route to harvest pipiwharauroa, the shining cuckoo. They followed this trail in search of the bountiful supply of fresh food. The return of these birds from their winter migration indicated it was time to plant spring crops.
For full information on the Trail check out our new web page at this link: Pipiwharauroa Walking and Biking Trail.