Thread: Kaimanawa Forest Park

Soooo. Wheels within wheels.

Just had a very polite and informative conversation with a gentleman from DoC Taupo who rang me back. Said I was the first of what he was expecting to be a looong line of complainants.

Yes, the local Maori Trust has decided to close public access.

BUT, its a commercial decision, not soley an environmental rubbish/illegal hunting one. HELISIKA have required the closure of the road so that they will pay the Trust considerable sums to lease long term the area and be able to use the end of the road there as a helicopter base during summer, to run downhill MTBing tours, and other scenic touristy stuff.

The hut on the tops and the heli base just off the tar seal road about 4km in are visible on G Earth.

Originally Posted by XR500

Soooo. Wheels within wheels.

Just had a very polite and informative conversation with a gentleman from DoC Taupo who rang me back. Said I was the first of what he was expecting to be a looong line of complainants.

Yes, the local Maori Trust has decided to close public access.

BUT, its a commercial decision, not soley an environmental rubbish/illegal hunting one. HELISIKA have required the closure of the road so that they will pay the Trust considerable sums to lease long term the area and be able to use the end of the road there as a helicopter base during summer, to run downhill MTBing tours, and other scenic touristy stuff.

The hut on the tops and the heli base just off the tar seal road about 4km in are visible on G Earth.

Okay. So they are putting the MTB tracks in on the private land?
As much as I would hate to see that areas access blocked off it is a pretty cunning commercial decision.

Originally Posted by Shearer

Okay. So they are putting the MTB tracks in on the private land?
As much as I would hate to see that areas access blocked off it is a pretty cunning commercial decision.

Yep, go to the WAMS website, you will see its all on private (Maori Trust) land.

But does cut off access to public land (Kaimanawa Forest Park) that's been used for the past 65 years. Pity the powers that be had not been pro active and secured access rights when the road was constructed.

But that was in another era.

Originally Posted by XR500

Soooo. Wheels within wheels.

Just had a very polite and informative conversation with a gentleman from DoC Taupo who rang me back. Said I was the first of what he was expecting to be a looong line of complainants.

Yes, the local Maori Trust has decided to close public access.

BUT, its a commercial decision, not soley an environmental rubbish/illegal hunting one. HELISIKA have required the closure of the road so that they will pay the Trust considerable sums to lease long term the area and be able to use the end of the road there as a helicopter base during summer, to run downhill MTBing tours, and other scenic touristy stuff.

The hut on the tops and the heli base just off the tar seal road about 4km in are visible on G Earth.

Helisika? If so that might cause a controversy...

So which roads are actually being closed?
Rangipo intake road?