Tauhara Hīkoi Track Opening
On Saturday 11 April, more than 100 people gathered on the slopes of Tauhara Maunga to mark a moment years in the making. The soft opening of the new Tauhara Hikoi track, followed by a community planting day, brought together whānau, tamariki, supporters, elected representatives, and partners from across Taupō to walk, plant, and celebrate what is being built here, on land generously shared for the benefit of the whole community.
It was, by all accounts, a special day.
The new track on the southwestern face of Tauhara Middle 15 lands offers something the original track could not: a safer, more accessible, and more welcoming path up the maunga for the Taupō community. Rock walls and retaining structures have been carefully formed into the landscape.
Over 16,000 native plants are now in the ground, with 2,000 more planted by volunteers on the day itself. The views across the lake to the mountains and Tongariro National Park were, as one partner put it, a spectacular backdrop for the day's mahi.
The day also reflected the breadth of partnership behind this kaupapa. Contributors include Nankervis Trust, Impel Construction, Ngā Mahi Kaha, Project Tongariro, Greening Taupō, Kids Greening Taupō, McHale Hire, Farmers Quality Meats, He Akina Ltd, and Taupō District Council.
Ngā mihi to the Nankervis Estate, Taupō District Council, Ngā Mahi Kaha, He Tipu Nursery, Empel Solutions, and Greening Taupō, whose generosity and mahi helped make this event and project come to life.
